Uzbekneftegaz Partners with Chinese XIBU to Drill 30 Deep Gas Wells

Uzbekistan's national oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz, has entered into a strategic partnership with the Chinese firm XIBU to drill 30 new wells in the country. The drilling operations are scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

This agreement marks the initial phase of a more extensive four-year cooperation plan. The long-term roadmap envisions the drilling of a total of 105 exploration and production wells across Uzbekistan between 2026 and 2029.

The contract was signed during an official visit to China by the Chairman of the Board of Uzbekneftegaz, Abdumalik Mirmakhmudov. During the trip, negotiations were also held with other leading players in China's oil and gas sector. XIBU, a subsidiary of the global energy giant China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), will deploy ten heavy-duty drilling rigs, each with a lifting capacity of 450 tons, to execute the work.

The new wells will target promising geological structures where seismic surveys have already indicated significant natural gas reserves. They are designed to reach exceptional depths of over 5,500 to 6,000 meters. Drilling at such levels presents major technical challenges due to complex subsurface conditions, including pressures up to 1,000 atmospheres and temperatures reaching 200°C.

This project is considered strategically vital for Uzbekistan. Its goals include enhancing operational safety in complex drilling environments, preventing accidents at existing fields, expanding geological exploration efforts, boosting proven gas reserves, and ultimately strengthening the nation's energy security.