Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) -- President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev said at a meeting in Termez last week that Uzbekistan will gain oil independence in 2-3 years.

He noted that Uzbekistan is implementing several large projects worth US$3.3 billion in Surkhandarya region.

In particular, a project is being implemented in the region to build a gas chemical complex in Baysun. The project cost is US$3 billion.

The complex will purify 5 billion cubic meters of gas per year, as well as produce gas and sulfur worth 6 trillion soums.

The region will annually receive additional export income of an average of US$120 million. It is planned to expand geological exploration and discover gas reserves of another 100 billion cubic meters.

Saneg began developing an oil shale deposit in Baysun district. According to the results of geological exploration, the deposit’s reserves are estimated at 55 million tons of shale ore of category C1.

Saneg continues to study the geological structure, depth and area of distribution of shale. The deposit’s reserves can reach up to 400 million tons.

The company plans to conduct topographic surveys, electrical exploration, and drilling exploration wells. The investment volume will be more than US$10 million.

Saneg wants to start processing shale ore to produce synthetic oil, gas and electricity generation. In 2024, the company intends to launch 4 units using circulating fluidized bed technology (TsKS-1500). Each installation will process up to 1.5 million tons of shale ore per year, as well as produce 800 thousand tons of oil, 300 million cubic meters of gas and 150 MW of electricity.

Within 5 years, Saneg plans to increase the number of such installations to 25. These installations will be able to process up to 37.5 million tons of raw materials annually.