Uzbekistan has outlined plans to raise natural gas production this year as part of wider reforms aimed at strengthening the country’s energy sector and improving efficiency across the oil and gas industry.

The directive was announced during a meeting chaired by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, where the government reviewed the operational performance and long-term development strategy of state-owned energy company Uzbekneftegaz. Under the new targets, daily gas production is set to rise from 66 million cubic meters to 70 million cubic meters, with total output for 2026 expected to reach at least 25.4 billion cubic meters.

Officials said achieving the higher production level will depend on expanding gas reserves through the development of new investment blocks, as well as accelerating work and improving efficiency at existing fields already allocated to investors.

The meeting also focused on the underutilization of naphtha production capacity, which is currently operating at around 70 percent. Authorities noted that exporting naphtha in raw form generates significantly less revenue than processing it into higher-value polymer products, which could multiply returns several times. As a result, instructions were issued to ensure full use of existing processing facilities.

In addition to production goals, discussions covered measures to improve Uzbekneftegaz’s financial performance. Special attention was paid to addressing theft and corruption in the oil and gas sector. To reduce corruption risks, a new deputy chairman position has been created, along with a compliance and internal anti-corruption control service.

President Mirziyoyev instructed relevant officials to deepen sector-wide reforms, increase gas reserves and production volumes, and strengthen financial discipline as Uzbekistan moves to modernize its energy industry and maximize the value of its natural resources.