BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 25. Uzbekistan’s
Uzbekneftegaz is stepping up measures to increase natural gas
production, with the company’s management reviewing well
commissioning, maintenance, infrastructure readiness and measures
to prevent production disruptions.


This was discussed at a regular working meeting chaired by
Uzbekneftegaz Management Board Chairman Abdugani Sanginov.


The meeting reviewed the status of 11 wells scheduled to be
commissioned from August 1 to 24. Drilling was completed at eight
wells, seven of which have already been brought online, creating
the capacity to produce an additional 1.7 million cubic meters of
gas per day.


One well did not produce an industrial-scale gas flow, while the
commissioning of another was postponed until early September.
Officials were instructed to accelerate drilling at three other
wells and ensure that the work is completed within the set
deadlines.


Particular attention was also paid to well workovers. During
August 1-24, eight wells were scheduled to be commissioned
following major repairs, and all eight produced gas at an
industrial scale. Additional gas production reached 310,000 cubic
meters, exceeding the planned 235,000 cubic meters.


The company plans to commission another 11 wells from August 21
to 31 and increase gas production by an additional 340,000 cubic
meters.


Sanginov emphasized that completing drilling should not be
followed by delays in connecting wells to the gas system. He
instructed officials to simultaneously monitor pipelines,
technological equipment, compressor stations and power supply
systems.







Preventing technological accidents was another key focus of the
meeting. Uzbekneftegaz said Gazli and Shurtan oil and gas
production units recorded almost no emergency incidents in August
following measures to improve equipment, power supply,
instrumentation and automation systems.


At the same time, accidents at other production units reduced
output of natural gas, gas condensate and liquefied gas.


“Preventing an accident must be given priority over eliminating
its consequences,” Sanginov said, stressing the need to complete
preventive maintenance and repair work before colder weather
arrives.


He also noted that while measures to offset natural declines in
gas production have helped secure additional gas flows and improve
output, production disruptions at individual units are undermining
those gains.


The company’s management instructed officials to establish clear
deadlines for each task, closely monitor every well and
technological facility, and identify the specific causes of any
lost production.