Gazprom clinches deal to buy Uzbek gas
Russian energy giant Gazprom and Uzbekistan's state oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz signed a contract on Monday to buy Uzbek gas and the agreement on the gas transportation through the Uzbek territory from 2013 to 2015, a source close to the contract told Trend news agency on Tuesday.
The documents were signed during the working visit of a Gazprom delegation to Tashkent, led by Deputy Chairman of Board Alexander Medvedev.
The documents were signed by Alexander Medvedev and chairman of Uzbekneftegaz board Shokir Faizullayev in the presence of Uzbek First Deputy Prime Minister Rustam Azimov.
According to the source, Uzbekistan will deliver 7.5 billion cubic meters of gas at $253 per 1,000 cubic meters to Gazprom in 2013 in accordance with the signed documents.
Around 8.7 billion cubic meters of gas have been supplied to Russia since early 2012 and 7.92 billion cubic meters of gas in 2011.
The agreement on the establishment of a joint working group was reached to develop a new long-term strategic cooperation agreement between Gazprom and Uzbekneftegaz.
The agreement on strategic cooperation in the gas sector between Uzbekneftegaz and Gazprom was signed in December 2002. According to the document, Uzbek gas is planned to be purchased for 2003-2012.
The contracts on gas purchase and agreements on the natural gas transportation through the territory of Uzbekistan were concluded in different periods within the strategic cooperation agreement. It will expire on Dec. 31, 2012.