Uzbekistan lays out energy goals

The Central Asian nation seeks to attract significant foreign investment for its energy sector

Petroleum Economist spoke with Azim Akhmedkhadjayev, the First Deputy Energy Minister of Uzbekistan, to discuss the country’s near-term outlook. The minister explains that Uzbek oil production will total an estimated 1.4mn t this year, while gas output is expected to reach 54bn m3. Do you have any statistics for estimated and proven oil and gas reserves? And are there any particularly promising regions? Akhmedkhadjayev: The country’s hydrocarbon reserves are significant: total primary energy reserves—proven and projected—amount to approximately 5.5bn t oe, including 1.5-1.6bn t oe of natural gas and 245mn t of oil. The eight main production fields are Shurtan, Zavardy, Kokdumalak, Alan, Adam