"The decline in gas production was due to both management errors and objective reasons" - Abdulla Abdukodirov

**Abdulla Abdukodirov: "There are both management errors and objective reasons for the decline in gas production"**

At a press conference on August 21 dedicated to the results of the first half of 2026 of the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy, Kun.uz asked about the reasons for the reduction of strategic indicators for natural gas production from 62 billion cubic meters to 48.5 billion cubic meters. Abdulla Abdukodirov, First Deputy Director of the Agency for Strategic Development and Reforms, stated that the decrease in gas production was influenced by "both objective reasons and management errors." However, the question of what analysis was used to revise the strategic goal was not clearly answered.

The Kun.uz journalist recalled that when the strategy was initially adopted in 2023, the goal was to increase natural gas production to 62 billion cubic meters per year by 2030, but with amendments made in February 2026, this figure was reduced to 48.5 billion cubic meters.

While 42 billion cubic meters of gas were produced in the country in 2025, the strategy now sets an even lower figure for 2026 - 40.2 billion cubic meters.

Also, despite tax incentives for the use of subsoil, gold and copper mining has decreased, and natural gas production volumes are decreasing year by year. The report published by the agency also noted delays in plans for gold, copper and silver production.

Abdulla Abdukodirov called these questions "fundamental issues" and emphasized that problems in the energy sector directly affect the competitiveness of the economy.

"If I could, I would definitely answer them. Because the issues you raise are very fundamental. First of all, a country that has lost its efficiency in the energy sector, that is, a country that is not able to produce its own "self-sufficiency", that is, the energy resources it needs, first of all loses the competitiveness of a very large economy. That is why the issue you raise is one of the most pressing issues," he said.

Abdukodirov said that both objective and subjective factors influenced the decline in gas production.

"As for the natural gas production sector, there are objective reasons here, there are also very large and management errors. Now you have seen for yourself, recently the leaders were replaced, the management system is being revised, and I think there will be positive changes in this area," he said.

However, the agency representative said that he was not authorized to answer specific questions on this issue and suggested sending journalists a written request.

Abdukodirov also noted that some information could not be disclosed.

"There are areas where it is impossible to answer some questions correctly, because it is a state secret. Especially in the gas sector. I can explain it to you later, because there are a lot of issues there. But based on general open data, you can also answer your question about how much gas was extracted and why. But some information in that area is a secret. It cannot be stated openly," he said.

The agency representative cited the nationwide blackout in January 2022 as an example.

"If I'm not mistaken, which sector suffered the most during the blackout on January 6, 2022? I'll tell you, the gas production sector. Our 12 compressors were compressors that determined 70 percent of the country's gas production potential. Power comes from five sources. None of the five sources worked. 12 compressor stations were left without power. The gas fell 3,000 meters down, after the compressor stopped working. After it falls down, it mixes with water. It's not easy to bring it back to the level of production. Sometimes there are objective, sometimes subjective, and other reasons," he said.

He also noted that the prospects for gas production are also due to insufficient attention to geological exploration.

"Today, the potential for gas production is abstract. Because first of all, it is necessary to open new gas fields. So far, we have achieved results in this work only in Karakalpakstan. Geological exploration work carried out in the Kashkadarya, Surkhandarya, and Bukhara regions has not yet yielded significant results. Small deposits are being discovered. But oil and gas deposits that determine the country's prospects have not yet been discovered. Geological exploration costs today exceed $1 billion," Abdukodirov said.

After the answer, Kun.uz asked the agency to clarify whether it had any analyses on this issue. In response, Abdukodirov said that the agency had analyses.

"First of all, we have the analysis and we are also obliged to use open resources. Because sometimes we have access to hidden resources, sometimes we do not. Today, using open data and the resources at our disposal, we create a portrait of each sector. Such portraits have been prepared for healthcare, the mines you mentioned, the metallurgical sector and more than 12 other areas," he said.

According to the National Statistics Agency, in the 1st half of 2026, natural gas, oil and gas condensate production in Uzbekistan continued to decline. During January-June, natural gas production amounted to 18.3 billion cubic meters. This is 16 percent or almost 3.5 billion cubic meters less than in the same period in 2025 (21.8 billion).

According to the "Uzbekistan-2030" strategy, gas production in Uzbekistan is projected to decrease in 2026 and gradually increase over the next 4 years.

According to the document updated in February 2026, 40.2 billion cubic meters of gas are expected to be produced this year. This is 3.6 percent or 1.5 billion cubic meters less than in 2025. Another noteworthy point: according to the results of last year, the National Statistics Committee indicated the volume of gas production as 42.3 billion cubic meters. This result has been reduced by 41.7 billion cubic meters.