The ongoing cooperation agreement between Kazakhstan and Gazprom has wider implications for the transit of Russian gas to Uzbekistan. This development was outlined by Kazakhstan’s Minister of Energy, Almasadam Satkaliev, and reported by TASS. The announcement highlights how the agreement lays out the responsibilities and procedures for transit, clarifying the roles of both parties in ensuring a steady flow of gas through the region.
Satkaliev explained that Kazakhstan has activated its gas transportation system and established transit facilities to support this process. He emphasized that the new agreement defines the obligations of the involved sides during the transit of Russian gas, ensuring that flow remains reliable while addressing operational responsibilities, safety assurances, and regulatory compliance across the transit corridor.
On October 7, a ceremony marked by the presence of Russian President Vladimir Putin signaled the initiation of Russian gas supplies to Uzbekistan via Kazakh territory. The event was attended by Uzbekistan’s President Shavkat Mirziyoyev and Kazakhstan’s Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, underscoring the regional significance and high-level political backing for this transit route.
Following the ceremony, Tashkent conveyed that negotiations with Gazprom began to establish medium and long-term contracts for gas supply. The Uzbek Ministry of Energy later announced a two-year purchase agreement, with a contracted volume of 9 million cubic meters per day, equating to approximately 2.8 billion cubic meters per year. This arrangement is framed as part of Uzbekistan’s broader strategy to diversify gas sources and ensure energy security, while maintaining stable transit revenues for Kazakhstan through the pipeline network.
Initial deliveries to Uzbekistan via the Kazakh route commenced in early November, with Uzbekistan accepting around 300 million cubic meters of gas from Gazprom. This figure reflects the early phase of the transit relationship and the scale of gas volumes expected to move through the corridor as contractual arrangements mature and operational routines are optimized for seasonal demand fluctuations.
Meanwhile, Gazprom reported continued deliveries to Europe, noting a daily supply level of about 40.3 million cubic meters through the Ukrainian route. The stated continuity of supply to European markets underscores Gazprom’s capacity to manage multiple trans-Eurasian gas routes in parallel, balancing regional energy needs with existing export commitments and geopolitical considerations that influence pipeline operations and pricing terms (TASS; official ministry statements).