Action plans were approved by presidential decree to step up the implementation of Uzbekneftegaz projects to improve infrastructure facilities. The action plans are included in the anti-crisis programme for 2009. In line with a schedule, all facilities are to be put into operation by the end of the third quarter of 2009.

The list of the projects includes the completion of the construction of the Gazli booster station in Bukhara region worth US$117.5 million. As part of the projects, there are plans to construct two gas pumping units, 18MW each.

The holding has also plans to reconstruct the Qongirot booster station in the country’s northwest, totalling to US$106 million. Specifically, there are plans to expand the booster station within the network of the Srednyaya Asia-Tsentr [Central Asia-Centre] main gas pipeline worth US$66.6 illion. The implementation of the project will make it possible to increase gas production at the booster station to 650 million cubic meters a year.

Moreover, the construction of a gas dewatering facility worth US$39.4 million will be completed at the Qongirot booster station. As part of the project, a unit with the capacity of processing 13 billion cubic meters of gas a year will be built there.

In 2009, Uzbekneftegaz will also upgrade its domestic gas pipeline networks in the country’s regions, which are 486.6 km long and cost US$18.2 million.

The company plans to put into operation the Ohangaron-Pungon (northwestern Uzbekistan) main gas pipeline worth about US$100 million by September. The length of the gas pipeline is about 156 km and will link Tashkent Region and the Ferghana Valley through the Qamchiq mountain pass.

In line with the project, the volume of gas transportation will be 30 million cubic meters of gas a day in summer and 24 million cubic meters in winter. The general contractor of the project is Swiss company Zeromax GmbH.

The projects will be financed by Uzbekneftegaz’s own funds and through loans of the Uzbek Fund for Reconstruction and Development.