Natural gas extraction in Uzbekistan has decreased significantly
In the first five months of 2026, Uzbekistan observed a significant decline in the extraction of primary fuel and energy resources, according to Zamin.uz.
According to official data from the Statistics Agency, natural gas production in the country amounted to 15.8 billion cubic meters during January–May of this year. Compared to the same period in previous years, this indicates a continuing downward trend in the sector.
Specifically, while 18.4 billion cubic meters of gas were extracted in the corresponding period of 2025, this year’s figure has decreased by nearly 14 percent. For comparison, in the first five months of 2024, the indicator stood at 18.9 billion cubic meters.
The decline in the energy sector is not limited to natural gas but also affects other key raw materials. During the five-month reporting period, the country produced 261.9 thousand tons of oil and 391.7 thousand tons of gas condensate.
It is worth noting separately that oil extraction has been declining for the third consecutive year. In gas condensate production, a decrease of 18 percent was recorded compared to the previous year.
Additionally, results in the coal industry fell short of expectations. If 2.5 million tons of coal were extracted in January–May 2025, this year’s corresponding period saw the figure drop to 1.6 million tons.
At the same time, against the backdrop of declining raw material extraction, positive growth rates are evident in the oil refining sector. In particular, diesel fuel production reached 476.4 thousand tons.
The steady and sustained growth dynamics in this direction over the past three years is encouraging. Meanwhile, gasoline production amounted to 502.2 thousand tons.
Although this result exceeds the 2025 indicators, it remains 11 percent below the volumes recorded in the same period of 2024. Overall, the challenge of maintaining the raw material base and increasing processing capacity in the country’s energy sector remains pressing.
