Uzbekistan is celebrating what is claimed to be country’s largest ever crude discovery after oil producer Sanoat Energetika Guruhi (SEG) reported a major new unconventional oil find in the Zarafshan depression, between the cities of Samarkand and Navoy., El.kz reports with reference to the Islamnews.ru.
It is noted that the reserves of bitumen oil of the field, called "Yangi Uzbekistan" ("New Uzbekistan"), are estimated at almost 100 million tons. The maximum annual production level is projected at 1 million tons by 2025. To ensure this level of production, it is planned to drill 1500 wells per year.
In the next 12 years, it is planned to invest $ 2.5 billion in its development. It is expected that Uzbekistan in the near future will be able to reduce imported crude oil and produce refined products from its own raw materials.