Kazakhstan is prepared to increase its oil exports to Uzbekistan, QazMonitor reports.
Yerlan Akkenzhenov, Vice Minister of Energy, commented on speculations about Russian oil exports in Uzbekistan replacing supplies from domestic producers.
"Some internet sources have reported that Russian oil supplies are displacing Kazakh oil in the Uzbek market. This is not accurate. Currently, 87,000 tons of Kazakh oil are being transported to Uzbekistan. If we can negotiate improved supply terms, we can further increase the volume and explore alternative routes for our oil exports. The volumes of Russian oil are indeed supplied but [these] are considerably lower than those of domestic producers," explained Akkenzhenov.
So far, 79,000 tons of Russian oil have been delivered to Uzbekistan since the beginning of 2023, in accordance with an agreement for the transit of 300,000 tons of oil through the territory of Kazakhstan. Concurrently, exports of Kazakhstan’s oil to Uzbekistan in 2022 reached 87,000 tons, and 46,000 tons were exported in the first nine months of 2023.
If the Uzbek side presents more favorable prices and terms compared to destinations like China or other foreign countries, we are willing to consider expanding volumes of our oil exports. We have already discussed this matter with our Uzbek colleagues and the subsoil users of Kazakhstan.
The Ministry specified that the oil is delivered from the Shagyr oil pumping station in Shymkent and the Kasymov oil pumping station in Atyrau. Furthermore, the volume of Kazakh oil exports to Uzbekistan constitutes only 0.13% of the total volume.
