BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 4. Uzbekistan plans
to invest $328 million in modernizing the Bukhara Oil Refinery,
aiming to raise its annual crude oil processing capacity to 5
million tonnes and increase output of high-octane gasoline that
meets Euro-5 environmental standards.
The plans were announced following President Shavkat
Mirziyoyev's visit to the refinery in the Karakul district of the
Bukhara region on November 3.
According to the presidential administration, the facility is
one of Uzbekistan's largest petroleum product manufacturers and
employs more than 3,200 people.
In January-September 2026, the refinery produced 1.36 million
tonnes of petroleum products worth 12.1 trillion soums
(approximately $1 billion).
Exports of products and services reached $99.5 million during
the period, with the refinery targeting $116 million by the end of
the year.
The $328 million modernization project includes the installation
of naphtha hydrotreating and isomerization units. Hydrotreating
will reduce sulfur and other impurities in the feedstock, while
isomerization will increase the octane rating of gasoline produced
from light petroleum fractions.
These processes are expected to support higher production of
AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline that meets Euro-5 environmental
requirements.
The project also envisages improvements to feedstock
fractionation and the deep processing of heavy residues. Once
completed, the modernization will add 2.5 million tons to the
refinery's annual processing capacity, increasing it from the
current level to 5 million tons.
The expanded capacity is expected to strengthen domestic fuel
supplies and increase export potential.
During the visit, Mirziyoyev instructed officials to ensure that
modernization works meet established deadlines and quality
standards, integrate new equipment with existing production
facilities and maintain the refinery's operational stability. He
also met with representatives of foreign companies participating in
the project.
