In Uzbekistan, natural gas, oil, and gas condensate production continued to decline in the first half of 2026. Natural gas production fell by 16% year-on-year to 18.3 billion cubic meters, Gazeta.uz reports.
At the same time, Uzbekistan is increasing gasoline and diesel fuel production: motor gasoline output increased by 6% from January to June, reaching 614,200 tons, while diesel production increased by 2.1%. Uzbekistan also reached an agreement with Kyrgyzstan to export 20,000 tons of fuel and lubricants.
A decline in gas production in Uzbekistan could impact the energy balance of the entire region, given its role as one of the largest energy producers and suppliers in Central Asia. For Kyrgyzstan, which traditionally relies on imported petroleum products, increasing gasoline purchases is a measure to stabilize the domestic market and prevent a potential fuel shortage.
While growing gasoline production in Uzbekistan creates additional opportunities for regional cooperation, declining gas production remains a long-term challenge to the country's energy security.
Tashkent is actively developing alternative energy sources and modernizing its energy sector, but the need for gas imports and expanded energy partnerships may persist in the near future. For Kyrgyzstan, diversification of fuel supplies is becoming an important element of economic and transport sector stability.
CentralasianLIGHT.org
August 6, 2026