In a significant breakthrough, Uzbekistan has successfully drilled a well to a depth of 6,500 meters in the Ustyurt district, uncovering substantial natural gas reserves.  According to Fergana news agency, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev shared the news.

Previously, geological surveys in the region were reportedly conducted at depths no greater than 2,500 to 3,000 meters.  The discovery marks a major advancement in the country’s energy sector.

Strategic importance of mineral resources

President Mirziyoyev also highlighted the growing global demand for technologically critical minerals such as tellurium, selenium, molybdenum, lithium, graphite, tungsten, and titanium.  According to scientific studies, Central Asia, including Uzbekistan, holds 10-15% of the world’s reserves of these vital minerals.

To efficiently convert these resources into high-value products, the president emphasized the need for Uzbekistan to focus on developing science and innovation.

Progress in Ustyurt district

Uzbekistan has been actively exploring and developing the Ustyurt region’s deposits for several years. Earlier in 2023, a gas field was discovered at a depth of 4,308 meters, with a daily production of more than 1.1 million cubic meters of natural gas.

In July 2025, the Uzbek government signed a production sharing agreement with Azerbaijan's SOCAR company, paving the way for joint projects in the Ustyurt plateau.  This agreement includes geological exploration and subsequent hydrocarbon extraction.

Gas reserves and production decline

According to the Energy Institute’s statistics, Uzbekistan's proven natural gas reserves are expected to reach around 1.97 trillion cubic meters by the end of 2024.  However, gas production in the country has been declining. In 2019, production stood at 59.4 billion cubic meters, but last year, it dropped by nearly 15 billion cubic meters.

In response to this decline, Uzbekistan is increasingly focusing on the development of renewable energy and expanding its natural gas imports from Russia and Turkmenistan.