"Uzbekneftegaz" has not disclosed the cost of eliminating the accident at the M25 field

Uzbekneftegaz Has Not Disclosed Cost of Eliminating Accident at M25 Field

JSC Uzbekneftegaz has not disclosed how much the work to eliminate the consequences of the accident at the Mustaqillikning 25 Yilligi (M25) gas field will cost. The company explained that this is due to a confidentiality agreement signed with the contractor. However, the work has already started, and the necessary equipment has been delivered to the site.

Representatives of the state company reported this on October 27 at a press conference dedicated to the results of activities for nine months.

Answering a journalist's question about the contract price, an Uzbekneftegaz representative said that the parties had signed a non-disclosure agreement.

"On this basis, before disclosing any figure, we must obtain the opinion and consent of the second party," he stated.

The company also rejected assumptions about a possible inflation of the cost of the work. According to the Uzbekneftegaz representative, the choice of contractor and the terms of cooperation were determined after a complete examination and obtaining conclusions from relevant state agencies.

The head of the company's press service, Mumin Ibodov, reported that he took part in all negotiations with potential contractors.

During the discussions, the cost, timeframe, and quality of work were considered. According to him, the chairman of the board several times opposed proposals that he considered inflated or not meeting the requirements. The final decision was made after considering these issues.

"The goal here is not the price, but to eliminate the consequences of the accident as quickly as possible," the head of the press service noted.

According to data voiced by the journalist, as of October 23, issues regarding the elimination of the accident's consequences were discussed jointly with the Chinese company CNPC. The work is expected to last until the first half of 2027.

The direct executor is CCDC, a subsidiary of CNPC. Prior to making the decision, the company held negotiations with contractors from the USA, China, and Russia. They proposed various technical options for eliminating the consequences of the accident.

When selecting the solution, the execution timeframe, potential risks, cost, and experience in eliminating the consequences of similar accidents, including in neighboring regions, were taken into account.

At the same time, the specific contract amount and details of the financial terms remain undisclosed.