Azernews.Az

Gazprom EP International, operator of Gazprom's projects abroad, is increasing gas production in Uzbekistan by 1.4 times from the previous year - to 300 million cubic meters, the company said, Trend news agency reported.

"Natural gas production from the Shakhpakhty field, reconstruction and redevelopment of which is carried out by Gazprom International since 2004, will be about 300 million cubic meters at the end of this year, or about 20 million cubic meters more compared to the designated level," Gazprom International said.

According to the company, about 280 million cubic meters of gas has been produced from the field which is located in north-western Uzbekistan, and growth in output at Shakhpakhty amounted to almost 40 per cent compared to the previous year.

During 2012, Gazprom International experts overhauled and commissioned five new wells. At present the operational fund deposits increased to 16 wells, the average gas production is 956,000 cubic meters. The total of 19 wells should be restored in accordance with the project.

The total volume of gas produced in Shakhpakhty since 2004 amounted to 2.1 billion cubic meters.

The Shakhpakhty gas field was discovered in 1962. The initial commercial gas reserves amounting to 46.5 billion cubic meters are approved as a result of exploration held here until 1968. At present, the recoverable reserves at Shakhpakhty are estimated at eight billion cubic meters.

The reconstruction and development of Shakhpakhty is a pilot project of Gazprom International in Uzbekistan, which is being implemented on terms of a PSA signed for a period of 15 years in 2004.

The gas produced at Shakhpakhty is supplied to the Karakalpak compressor station, and then to consumers through the Central Asia - Center gas pipeline. The investment into the project amounted to $25 million.