The tender was announced in the Uzbek print media on Tuesday. Bid applications must be received by 16 November and envelopes will be opened on 27 November.

Lukoil Overseas acquired the SNG Holding Ltd group in March 2008. The acquisition included Soyuzneftegaz Vostok Ltd, which is a participant in the PSA in the Southwestern Hissar and Ustyurt region. The deal was worth US$580 million. Uzbekneftegaz is the other participant in the PSA.

The PSA was signed in January 2007 for 36 years and entered force in April 2007. Uzbekistan will receive from 55% to 80% of profit production, depending on the actual project margins. Capital expenditure of US$1.196 billion is scheduled.

The contract area has seven fields: the Dzharkuduk-Yangi Kyzylcha, Gumbulak, Amanata, Pachkamar and Adamtash gas condensate fields, the South Kyzylbairak oil and gas condensate field, and the Koshkuduk oil field. Small amounts of oil and gas condensate are being produced at South Kyzylbairak and Koshkuduk.