Growing air traffic through Central Asia and Russia’s restrictions on aviation fuel exports have drawn increased attention to Uzbekistan’s aviation kerosene supply needs. A report on the performance of Uzbekneftegaz presented to President Shavkat Mirziyoyev suggests that the authorities increasingly view the oil and gas sector not only as a source of raw materials but also as an element of the country’s transport, economic and geopolitical resilience.
The most notable aspects of the report were not gas production figures or gasoline output, but the sharp increase in demand for aviation kerosene, the search for new foreign fuel suppliers, and ambitious plans to modernize geological exploration using American technologies and artificial intelligence.
These decisions are being made at a time when international air routes are increasingly shifting toward Central Asia and regional states are adapting to the consequences of conflicts, sanctions and changes in global trade.
Growing air traffic is reshaping the energy agenda
One of the most striking points in the report was the sharp increase in demand for aviation kerosene.
According to government estimates, demand for aviation fuel in the second half of 2026 will reach 375,000 tons, 27 percent higher than during the same period last year.
The authorities directly link this growth to changes in the international environment.
The report presented to the president states that rising demand for aviation kerosene is directly connected to an increase in the number of flights passing through Central Asia amid a worsening geopolitical situation. While officials did not specify the exact reasons behind this trend, they pointed to continued growth in air traffic across the region.
The increase in air traffic could potentially strengthen Uzbekistan’s role as one of Central Asia’s transportation hubs.
Fuel shortages have already affected air travel
Recent events have demonstrated how sensitive the aviation fuel market remains.
In June, national carrier Uzbekistan Airways announced reductions in the frequency of several flights to Russia, citing shortages of aviation fuel and rising fuel prices.
The airline’s announcement came shortly after the Russian government imposed a temporary ban on aviation kerosene exports through the end of November 2026. Moscow said the measure was necessary to stabilize the domestic market and ensure uninterrupted fuel supplies for Russian consumers.
Although the airline did not directly link the flight reductions to Russian export restrictions, the timing was notable.
The episode illustrated how closely interconnected the region’s energy and transportation markets have become and how quickly decisions made by major suppliers can affect airlines in neighboring countries.
For Uzbekistan, it served as a reminder that even having domestic refining capacity does not guarantee complete insulation from external shocks.
Tashkent looks for new suppliers
Another statement in the report is particularly noteworthy in this context.
Officials said that due to export restrictions on petroleum products in certain partner countries, imports of aviation kerosene have been arranged from alternative sources, including Georgia, Iraq and other states. No details were provided regarding the supply arrangements.
Such wording may indicate diversification—or at least an intention to diversify—fuel supplies.
For a country whose economy depends heavily on international transport links, reducing dependence on a single supplier is a matter not only of economics but also of national resilience.
At the same time, according to the presidential press service, the bulk of domestic demand for aviation kerosene is expected to be covered by Uzbekistan’s own oil refineries.
Fuel production remains above forecasts
Despite ongoing supply challenges and growing demand for aviation fuel, Uzbekneftegaz reported stronger-than-expected production results in the first half of the year.
According to the report presented to the president, the company produced 11.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas. Output of crude oil, diesel fuel, aviation kerosene and liquefied gas also exceeded forecast targets.
By the end of 2026, Uzbekneftegaz plans to produce 1.1 million tons of gasoline, 983,000 tons of diesel fuel, 310,000 tons of aviation kerosene, 606,000 tons of liquefied gas and approximately 1.18 million tons of synthetic products.
Against the backdrop of rising demand for aviation fuel, the ability to supply the domestic market with kerosene is becoming one of the sector’s most important indicators.
Searching for new reserves
At the same time, the authorities are trying to address another challenge: replenishing the country’s resource base.
Despite maintaining significant production volumes, Uzbekistan has in recent years devoted increasing attention to discovering new deposits and improving the efficiency of geological exploration.
As part of this strategy, $38.8 million is planned for the modernization of Uzbekgeofizika.
The funds will be used to upgrade well-survey equipment and purchase a modern 3D seismic exploration complex.
American technology and artificial intelligence
Particular attention has been drawn to cooperation with the American company Schlumberger.
Together with foreign partners, Uzbekistan plans to establish a seismic data processing center equipped with a supercomputer complex and modern software.
The use of artificial intelligence in processing geological information is highlighted as a key component of the project.
Such systems can analyze massive volumes of data much faster than traditional methods, reducing the time required to identify promising deposits and lowering exploration costs.
Exploration activity set to nearly triple
According to the plans presented, the annual area covered by 3D seismic surveys will increase from 1,800 to 5,000 square kilometers.
The depth of exploration is expected to increase from 4,500 to 8,000 meters.
The number of prospective geological structures prepared for further study is projected to rise from 19 to 30.
At the same time, new drilling and well-monitoring technologies are expected to be introduced, including horizontal drilling, ultrasonic logging and real-time geophysical monitoring.
Reforms unfold amid a criminal trial
Notably, these modernization plans are being implemented during one of the most prominent criminal proceedings in Uzbekistan’s oil and gas sector in recent years.
In July, a court in Tashkent began hearing the case of former Uzbekneftegaz chairman Bahodirjon Sidikov and eight other defendants.
According to court records, all defendants have been charged with embezzlement through misappropriation or waste. Some also face charges of abuse of office and official forgery.
The trial began several months after President Mirziyoyev publicly reported the discovery of violations and alleged embezzlement schemes within state-owned companies, including those operating in the oil and gas sector.
Against this backdrop, the modernization of the industry appears not only as a technological initiative but also as an effort to improve governance and oversight of one of the country’s largest state-owned assets.
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