Russia Increases Natural Gas Exports to Uzbekistan

SEATTLE (Oil Monster): Russia significantly increased natural gas exports to Uzbekistan in 2025, with deliveries rising by about 30% to more than 7 billion cubic meters via the Central Asia–Center pipeline system, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA). The increase came despite an overall decline in Russia’s gas production and a sharp drop in exports to Europe, pointing to Central Asia’s growing role in Moscow’s energy strategy.

In its latest report, the IEA said natural gas output across Eurasia fell by an estimated 2% in 2025, largely due to lower production in Russia. Preliminary data point to a 3% decline in Russian gas output, or around 22 billion cubic meters, amid weaker domestic demand and shrinking exports. Domestic deliveries dropped by nearly 3%, with the sharpest decline recorded in the first quarter, when milder winter temperatures reduced heating demand.

At the same time, pipeline gas exports to Europe plunged by roughly 25% year on year following the halt of transit through Ukraine on January 1, 2025. The shortfall was only partly offset by increased supplies to China and Central Asia. Exports to China via the Power of Siberia pipeline rose by 25% to nearly 39 billion cubic meters, while shipments to Uzbekistan through Kazakhstan continued to increase.

The IEA also noted diverging trends across Central Asia’s gas sector. Turkmenistan’s gas production rose by about 3% to roughly 80 billion cubic meters. By contrast, Uzbekistan’s output fell by 4.5% in the first 11 months of 2025 due to upstream capacity constraints. Kazakhstan, meanwhile, recorded a gain of more than 10% in sales gas production, although regional pipeline exports to China declined by around 5%.

Against this backdrop, Russia is moving to formalize energy ties with Central Asian countries. The Russian Energy Ministry announced the creation of a joint energy working group following expert-level consultations held under the “Central Asia–Russia” framework at the Russian Foreign Ministry.

Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin, who participated in the talks, said the working group will operate at the deputy minister level and include representatives from Russia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan. The body will be tasked with implementing the Joint Action Plan for 2025-2027, adopted at the second Central Asia-Russia summit in Dushanbe in October 2025.

The ministry said the group will focus on coordinating fuel and energy policy and overseeing the implementation of decisions approved by regional leaders.

 Courtesy: wwwtimesca.com