Uzbekistan Discovers Vast Gas Reserves

For the first time in Uzbekistan’s industrial history, a deep-drilling operation on the Ustyurt Plateau has uncovered significant gas reserves, a breakthrough announced by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev during a dialogue with teachers and mentors.

“Uzbekistan has vast mineral resources. Until now, oil and gas exploration was limited to depths of 2,500-3,000 meters. This year, a well was drilled to 6,500 meters on Ustyurt, revealing very large gas reserves,” Mirziyoyev said, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

The president also noted the rising global demand for strategic minerals-including tellurium, lithium, selenium, graphite, and molybdenum-amid the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Experts estimate that the region accounts for up to 15 per cent of the world’s tungsten, molybdenum, zinc, and titanium reserves.

Exploration activities on the plateau began following a 2024 agreement between Uzbekneftegaz and SOCAR. In July 2025, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy, SOCAR, and Uzbekneftegaz signed a Production Sharing Agreement covering six investment blocks, which includes geological surveys, 3D seismic studies over at least 1,000 sq. km, and drilling at least one well within the first five years. Total investments are estimated at $2 billion, with projected reserves reaching 100 million tons of oil and 35 billion cubic meters of gas.