BAKU, Azerbaijan, September 8. Uzbekistan,
Azerbaijan’s SOCAR and international energy company bp are
advancing oil and gas exploration in the Ustyurt region, with 3D
seismic fieldwork completed across six investment blocks under a
production-sharing agreement.


This was reflected in the statement by the Ministry of Energy of
Uzbekistan.


The parties held a meeting of the Steering Committee in Tashkent
on September 7 to review work carried out under the Ustyurt
production-sharing agreement in 2025 and the first half of 2026, as
well as plans for the next phase of geological exploration.


Representatives of Uzbekistan’s Energy Ministry, Uzbekneftegaz,
relevant government agencies, SOCAR and bp participated in the
meeting.


The completed 3D seismic surveys covered the Baiterek,
Terengkuduk, Birkori, Kharoy, Karakalpak and Kulboy investment
blocks in the Republic of Karakalpakstan. The seismic data is
expected to provide a more detailed basis for assessing prospective
oil and gas structures in the Ustyurt region.


“Completion of the 3D seismic fieldwork provides an important
foundation for the next stage of geological exploration and a more
detailed assessment of the region’s hydrocarbon potential,” the
Uzbek Energy Ministry said.







The next phase will focus on processing and geological
interpretation of the seismic data. The project partners also plan
to prepare for the drilling of an exploration well based on the
results of the analysis.


The Ustyurt region is considered one of Uzbekistan’s important
areas for hydrocarbon exploration, and the project is aimed at
identifying new prospective resources and improving understanding
of the geological structure of the investment blocks.


The Steering Committee also reviewed the results of joint
activities conducted during 2025 and the first six months of 2026,
providing an assessment of progress under the production-sharing
agreement and outlining priorities for further exploration.


At the conclusion of the meeting, the parties confirmed their
commitment to continue joint implementation of the project, with a
focus on detailed geological study and the efficient development of
the Ustyurt region’s hydrocarbon potential.


The planned transition from seismic data acquisition to analysis
and exploration drilling marks a new stage in the project and could
provide additional information on the region’s potential for future
oil and gas development.