OREANDA-NEWS. May 20, 2008. Uzbekistan will export 15,3 billion cubic metres of gas in 2008 and the share of exports in the total annual gas production will make up 23%, Deputy Chairman of Uzbekneftegaz national holding company Shavkat Madjitov said at OGU-2008 international exhibition, reported the Official website www.investuzbekistan.uz.

Uzbekistan is planning to increase gas production by 2,3% to 66,8 billion cubic metres in 2008, according to Madjitov. In 2007, Uzbekistan produced 65,3 billion cubic metres of gas, of which 14,5 billion cubic metres were exported.

The major share of the Uzbek gas exports (85%) will fall to Russia this year as well. Besides, in 2008 it is envisaged to increase supplies to 12,75 billion cubic metres, against 10 billion cubic metres in 2007. Uzbekistan supplied 1,5 billion cubic metres of gas to Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan last year.

The number of foreign participants in the OGU-2008 (Oil and Gas Uzbekistan) exhibition shows the interest of foreign investors in the oil-and-gas industry of Uzbekistan. Some 180 companies from 30 countries, including 60 companies from Russia, participated in the exhibition.