The state company "Uzbekneftegaz" plans to completely stop the production of low-octane AI-80 gasoline in September 2025. This was reported by Upl.uz.
This strategic step is an important part of the country's fuel industry modernization and transition program to environmentally friendly standards. According to the company's press service, starting from 2026, the domestic market will be supplied only with high-octane AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline.
As part of the production plan for 2025, the Bukhara oil refinery is expected to produce approximately 1.03 million tons of automotive fuel. Of this, 487 thousand tons will be produced from AI-80 gasoline by September.
Starting from September, the plant's production lines will be fully converted to AI-92+ gasoline, producing approximately 90 thousand tons of product per month. By the end of 2025, the reserves of AI-80 gasoline will be completely exhausted, and from the beginning of 2026, only high-octane gasoline will be put on sale.
This change is being implemented based on the President's directive, which envisions limiting the production of AI-80 gasoline to ensure the supply of quality and affordable fuel. The modernization of the Bukhara oil refinery has been ongoing for more than two years and is supported by international partners.
In February 2024, an investment agreement was signed with China's China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). Subsequently, in April, a contract was signed with France's Axens company for advanced technologies.
The project being carried out with Axens in Fast-Track mode will establish the production of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline in a ratio of 60% and 40% by 2025. The annual production volume will reach 1 million tons, meeting Euro-5 environmental standards.
According to Odil Temirov, the former deputy head of "Uzbekneftegaz," the work to abandon AI-80 gasoline is being conducted separately from the overall modernization of the plant. Axens is expected to complete the main project by September.
At the same time, preparatory work continues with the CNPC department. The complete cessation of AI-80 gasoline production will begin in early 2025.
Previously, 85% of the plant's products were AI-80, but starting from November 2024, the transition to high-octane gasoline has accelerated. In order to prepare the market for new conditions, "Uzbekneftegaz" is implementing a strategy to gradually reduce the price of AI-92 gasoline by putting it on the commodity exchange starting from October 2023.
Gasoline grades indicate the octane number, which shows the fuel's resistance to detonation. The higher the octane number, the more protected the fuel is from self-ignition during compression.
This is important for powerful and efficient engines.
