Uzbekistan discovers major gas reserve in Ustyurt after deep drilling

For the first time in the country’s industrial history, Uzbekistan has discovered a very large gas reserve by drilling 6,500 meters deep, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced. He also noted that 10–15 percent of the world’s reserves of tungsten, molybdenum, zinc, and titanium are located in the region.

Photo: Presidential Press Service

Speaking on 15 September, the president said a significant gas reserve had been found on the Ustyurt Plateau in Karakalpakstan.

“Our country possesses huge underground mineral resources. Previously, exploration in the oil and gas sector was carried out only at depths of 2,500–3,000 meters. This year, for the first time in the history of our industry, drilling in Ustyurt reached a depth of 6,500 meters and a very large gas reserve was discovered,” the president said.

According to Mirziyoyev, the demand for technological minerals such as tellurium, lithium, selenium, graphite, and molybdenum is increasing several times over as the world undergoes the “fourth industrial revolution.”

“Analysis shows that 10–15 percent of the world’s reserves of tungsten, molybdenum, zinc, and titanium are concentrated in our region,” he added.

“To turn these enormous resources into products with high added value, we need above all science, knowledge, and innovation,” the president emphasized.

Earlier, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev said he was awaiting news about the discovery of a major oil field in Uzbekistan.