On July 31, 2024, due to the expiration of the product distribution agreement in Uzbekistan's “Shohpakhta” field, Russia's “Gazprom” company has terminated its operations in the field. Currently, the processes for winding up the operational company are being carried out based on approved plans and in accordance with existing legislation. This was reported by “Gazprom International”, citing “Neftegaz.ru here.
The “Shohpakhta” field is located in the Qo‘ng‘irot district of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, in the southeastern part of the Ustyurt Plateau. This field was discovered in 1962. The gas reserves belong to the Jurassic and Triassic geological layers. The field's initial gas reserves were 39.9 billion cubic meters, and the current recoverable natural gas reserves are approximately 8 billion cubic meters. Industrial-scale gas production in “Shohpakhta” began in 1974, with an annual production of 2.5 billion cubic meters of gas. There are a total of 7 gas-bearing layers in the field, and the project is aimed at efficiently redeveloping these remaining reserves.
In 2004, a consortium made up of “Gazprom International” (formerly “Gazprom EP International Limited”) and “Uzbekneftegaz” companies signed an agreement to reconstruct and redevelop the “Shohpakhta” field. The term of the agreement was set for 15 years. In May 2018, within the framework of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, the term of the agreement was extended until 2024, and the conditions remained unchanged.
In June 2009, a new Zhel field was discovered within the “Shohpakhta” block. The confirmed reserves of this field are 6.4 billion cubic meters of gas and 76 thousand tons of gas condensate. The agreement for the Zhel field was signed in October 2018 by “Gazprom EP International Limited” and the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan. The launch of the Zhel field is scheduled for 2026.
“Gazprom” is also participating in another project in Uzbekistan through its “Gas Project Development Central Asia” branch company - the “Independence of Uzbekistan” investment block. This project is aimed at the re-exploration and development of the “25 Years of Independence” (M-25) field”, the report says.
