Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- Khududgaztaminot signed a number of agreements and contracts with Italian companies aimed at improving the gas supply sector in Uzbekistan and training new format specialists. This was reported by the press service of Khududgaztaminot.

According to the agreements, Khududgaztaminot together with Pietro Fiorentini S.p.A. will begin the implementation of a project to modernize and reconstruct the gas distribution system of Uzbekistan. The project will be financed by the State Agency for Export-Import Financing SACE (Italy) in the amount of 200 million euros. In addition, it is planned to create a School for the training of gas sector engineers on the basis of the HGT Training educational center.

It should be noted that President Shavkat Mirziyoyev spoke about the modernization of the gas supply system of Uzbekistan and the training of personnel for the sector. In particular, at a videoconference meeting on 22 October 2022, the head of state instructed to fully digitize all links in the natural gas supply chain - from gas wells to consumers.

Part of the work on the transition to digital in the gas supply system has already been completed. Over the past three years, Khududgaztaminot has implemented the Automated Gas Metering Control System project, under which smart meters were installed for consumers. As a result, the inhabitants of the country have forgotten "trips" to the gas stations, long queues for payment, subscriber books, verification of meters, unrealistic debts and other life-complicating procedures in the gas supply system. Currently, all services in the field have been transferred online and transparency has been ensured in the relationship between the consumer and the gas supplier.

The effectiveness of the project also reflects the reduction of natural gas losses during its supply to the consumer, the gradual achievement of the rational use of "blue" fuel, and the popularization of energy-saving technologies among the population. However, there is a fairly large-scale scope of work in the gas supply system, and this winter clearly showed this. Equipment that was not adapted to abnormal cold and low pressure, besides being rather outdated, broke down and brought a lot of inconvenience to consumers.

In order to avoid such situations in the future, Khududgaztaminot was tasked with transferring 706.5 thousand households to a two-stage gas supply system over the next years and introducing software that automatically generates a balance of natural gas consumption volumes. It is also planned to lay 381.3 kilometers of new ones, to carry out a major reconstruction and modernization of 452.4 kilometers of gas pipes. Along with this, it is planned to upgrade 5.4 thousand gas distribution points, to introduce telemetry systems at 2.8 thousand high-pressure facilities, and to install high-precision ultrasonic gas meters in gas distribution networks.

A large-scale upgrade of the gas distribution system will make it possible to replace obsolete networks whose operation has exceeded many years. This, in turn, will affect the reduction of natural gas losses during transportation, its uniform distribution among all categories of consumers, as well as the establishment of real-time control over the technological process.

Based on the fact that cooperation between Italian companies and Khududgaztaminot has shown its effectiveness, reliability and confirmed mutual trust, it was decided to continue the partnership within the framework of the project to modernize and reconstruct the gas distribution system of Uzbekistan. One of the world’s key manufacturers of gas equipment is the Italian company Pietro Fiorentini S.p.A. will supply modern gas control points (GRP), pressure regulators, filters and other components to Uzbekistan, and Terranova S.R.L - a telemetry system that will allow remote monitoring and control of hydraulic fracturing.

It should be noted that the pilot project for the installation of four hydraulic fracturing by Pietro Fiorentini S.p.A. was carried out in the makhalla "Kattakhovuz" of the Shaykhantaur district of Tashkent, from where the majority of citizens’ appeals were received. Modern gas control points made it possible to put the gas distribution system of the mahalla in order and evenly provide 305 households and five wholesale consumers with natural gas.

Simultaneously with the modernization and reconstruction of the gas distribution system of Uzbekistan, retraining of gas sector engineers will begin, who will be able to work on new equipment and master modern trends in gas management.

It is planned that the School for the Training of Gas Sector Engineers on the basis of the HGT Training Educational Center, established on 8 September 2022, will be equipped with the latest technology, and specialists from abroad will be invited to conduct classes. Currently, acting managers and specialists in the field of gas supply are already improving their skills here using modern programs and techniques.

The implementation of an investment project aimed at modernizing and reconstructing the country’s gas distribution system will ensure the well-being of consumers, raise the quality of services provided to a new level and complete the process of updating the entire gas supply sector in Uzbekistan.