In July, Uzbekistan increased gas exports to China in value terms, the China’s General Customs Authority said. As reported earlier, in April, Uzbekistan resumed gas exports, which for that month was worth of $40.47 million. In May, shipments rose to $78.16 million, and in June – $85.27 million, and in July – $91.39 million, up 7.2% from the previous month.
Turkmenistan remains the leader in gas supplies to China, exporting gas worth $5.85 billion over seven months (+10% compared to the same period last year). China was followed by Russia, almost doubling its supplies to $3.94 billion. Myanmar ($861 million) and Kazakhstan ($614 million) followed.
Earlier, Deputy Chairman of Turkmengas Myrad Archaev expressed concern about Russia’s statement about the interest of other countries in the “gas union”, which now allegedly includes Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. According to him, this affects the interests of Turkmenistan, which exports gas to China. He fears that the Turkmenistan-China gas pipeline may be used to supply gas from other countries to China.
The Kazakh Energy Ministry said it had not received official proposals to create a trilateral gas union with Russia and Uzbekistan. Cooperation in the gas sector with these countries is being held in a bilateral format, the ministry noted.
Uzbekistan did not comment on the statement of the Turkmen authorities.