The key facts

  • On October 13, a high-pressure gas pipeline ruptured near the village of Volchkovo in the Penza region, and torch burning began
  • Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan stated that Russian gas supplies and transit are proceeding as planned
  • In 2025, supplies grew by 14.9% to 6.48 billion cubic meters; the IEA forecasts growth to more than 10 billion in 2026

Accident and agencies' response

Supplies of Russian natural gas to Uzbekistan continue in accordance with contractual obligations, despite the accident on the trunk gas pipeline in the Penza region. This was announced at a press conference on October 14 by representatives of the Ministry of Energy and the Ministry of Economy and Finance of Uzbekistan, answering journalists' questions about the consequences of the accident that occurred on October 13 and the risks for the upcoming heating season. A representative of the Ministry of Energy noted that an intergovernmental agreement is in effect, under which all parties fulfill their obligations in a timely manner. Deputy Minister of Economy and Finance for the oil and gas sector Khurshed Mustafaev assured that there are no problems with supplies: gas is being delivered on time under the contract between the two companies.

What is known about the accident

On October 13, media reported an accident on a trunk gas pipeline near the village of Volchkovo in the Belinsky district of the Penza region. According to the regional emergency ministry (EMERCOM) directorate, at about 11:00 Moscow time a high-pressure pipeline ruptured, after which intense torch burning began. The cause was named as a violation of the technological process. Gazprom Transgaz Saratov clarified that the damage occurred on a section of the Petrovsk — Yelets trunk line. The damaged section was promptly shut off, and gas supplies to consumers continued via alternative routes.

Kazakhstan's position

Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy confirmed the same day that the accident did not affect the transit of Russian gas to Uzbekistan through the republic's territory. Ministry representative Asel Serikpaeva said that transit is proceeding at planned volumes, no deviations in the operation of Kazakhstan's gas transmission system have been recorded, and no requests from Gazprom to change the supply regime have been received.

Supply context

Uzbekistan began importing Russian gas through Kazakhstan's territory in October 2023, using the Central Asia — Center trunk pipeline system in reverse mode. According to Gazprom's annual report, in 2025 supplies grew by 14.9% — from 5.64 billion to 6.48 billion cubic meters; in the fourth quarter they ran at the maximum technical capacity of the system. According to the International Energy Agency's estimate, in 2026 the volume of supplies may exceed 10 billion cubic meters, compared with approximately 7 billion in 2025. Import growth is taking place against the backdrop of declining domestic gas production in Uzbekistan.