Azerbaijan’s SOCAR may build new filling stations in Uzbekistan PHOTO

17 September 2026 18:21

Azerbaijan’s State Oil Company SOCAR may build new filling stations in Uzbekistan, a plan Rovshan Najaf, President of the Company, discussed with Uzbekistan’s Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade, Laziz Kudratov, and Minister of Energy, Sherzod Khodjaev, SOCAR has stated.

It outlined that during the talks, the sides noted the dynamic development of economic ties between the two countries, including their energy partnership, Caliber.Az reports.

“The meeting addressed a project to build new filling stations under the SOCAR brand in Uzbekistan, as well as ongoing work under the Ustyurt investment blocks. It was emphasised that these projects will contribute to the development of cooperation between the two countries in the energy sector,” the statement noted.

The meeting also included an exchange of views on expanding ties between SOCAR and Uzbek companies, implementing joint investment projects and other issues of mutual interest.

As previously reported, SOCAR is involved in the Ustyurt project to develop hydrocarbon resources in Uzbekistan, with investments estimated at around $2 billion.

On 24 July 2025, Uzbekistan’s Ministry of Energy, SOCAR and Uzbekneftegaz signed a Production Sharing Agreement (PSA) providing for geological exploration and subsequent hydrocarbon production in the Ustyurt region.

The PSA covers exploration, development and production across six Ustyurt investment blocks — Boyterak, Terengkuduk, Birgori, Kharoy, Karakalpak and Kulboy. SOCAR will serve as the operator during the geological exploration stage. Under the agreement, exploration work and the drilling of at least one exploration well are planned during the initial five-year period. The agreement also provides for 3D seismic surveys covering at least 1,000 square kilometres.

According to forecasts, the Ustyurt blocks could contain a field with reserves of 100 million tonnes of oil and 35 billion cubic metres of natural gas. Once the project is launched, annual oil production on the Ustyurt Plateau could reach 5 million tonnes.