He said that the Russian company was carrying out large-scale exploration work on the country’s northwestern Ustyurt oil and gas plateau.

"Gazprom engaged itself in investing not less than US$400 million in the project and all the project terms are met. Today a geological survey and drilling are under way at almost 20 exploration wells. It is one of the activities, which one can be proud of," Gogolev noted.

Gogolev mentioned that the final development of the Shokhpakhta deposits on the Ustyurt plateau was Gazprom’s first pilot investment in Uzbekistan.

"Gas received from there bears witness to successful cooperation within the framework of the first product sharing agreement signed for 15 years, which was reached on 14 April 2004. The project was successful, and the planned activities are carried out," he said.