Uzbekneftegaz, Gazprom to ink 4-yr gas transit deal

New-Europe.info October 3 Russian gas giant OAO Gazprom and Uzbek state oil and gas company Uzbekneftegaz plan to sign an agreement to transport natural gas through Uzbekistan in 2006-2010, a source in Uzbekneftegaz told Interfax recently. He said Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller was expected to travel to Tashkent last Monday for this reason. During his talks with Uzbekneftegaz management, Miller was expected to also discuss the conditions of a contract between OOO Gazexport and Uztransgaz for supplies of Uzbek natural gas to Russia. The Uzbek side was expected to provide Gazprom with information on the results of diagnostics carried out on the gas transport system Central Asia-Centre in Uzbekistan, which is necessary to prepare a feasibility study for its reconstruction. It is expected that Miller will be received by Uzbek President Islam Karimov. Uzbekneftegaz and Gazprom signed a strategic cooperation agreement in the gas industry on December 17, 2002. The agreement calls for long-term purchases of Uzbek gas for 2003-2012, Gazprom participation in projects to produce natural gas in Uzbekistan under PSA, and cooperation in the development of gas transport infrastructure in Uzbekistan and the transport of Central Asian gas through the country.