Uzbekistan
- Project purpose and description: Search, exploration, and production of hydrocarbons in the Ustyurt region of the Republic of Uzbekistan. After completing its geologic exploration work, Gazprom (that holds licenses for the use of mineral resources valid for five years) enjoys exclusive right to negotiate with the Republic of Uzbekistan with regard to the development of the discovered fields based on Production sharing agreements.
- Project start: 2006
- Legal basis and participants: Agreement on basic principles for geologic exploration of the investment blocks of the Ustyurt region of the Republic of Uzbekistan between National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz and OAO Gazprom dated January 25, 2006. Project operator is ZAO Zarubezhneftegaz.
- Total reserves estimate: Category C1 and C2 reserves amount to some 120 bcm of natural gas and some 7 million tons of conden sate.
- Project progress: In 2006, Management Committee of OAO Gazprom and the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan approved a stage by stage Program of geologic exploration work in the Ustyurt region of the Republic of Uzbekistan for the period from 2006 through 2011 (Geological exploration Program). The project operator carried out the whole volume of aerial, gravimetric, and magnetic survey, processing and interpretation of 2D seismic survey data, as well as 2D and 3D seismic survey at the seven allocated investment blocks (Shakhpakhtinsky, Agyinsky, Akchalaksky, Urginsky (western part), Kuanyshsky, Aktumsuksky, and Nasambeksky blocks). Exploration well № 1, which was drilled on the Shakhpakhtinsky investment block based on the results of seismic survey carried out within the first stage of the Program, yielded – during its test on May 12, 2009 – the net production of hydrocarbon gas of some 480 mcm per day, which confirms the possibility of discovering a new field in the Republic of Uzbekistan.