The key facts

  • The 'Gas Ring' project envisions more than 3,000 km of new and upgraded gas pipelines between the five countries of the region
  • Estimated cost is $5 billion, capacity about 20 billion cubic meters of gas per year (estimates by project supporters)
  • The final financing scheme, agreements of all five governments and construction timeline have not been publicly announced

The Idea of Linking Five Countries with a Single Gas Network

The 'Central Asia Gas Ring' proposal was discussed at the second Central Asian Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent. The project is meant to connect Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan with more than 3,000 kilometers of new and upgraded gas pipelines. The idea was first presented by Kazakh energy expert Askar Ismailov at the first forum in 2025. By his estimate, the core infrastructure would cost $5 billion, of which $2 billion would go to new construction and $3 billion to modernization and digitalization. The proposed network, he said, could transport about 20 billion cubic meters of gas per year.

Why the Region Needs a Shared Network

The initiative reflects differences in gas reserves, infrastructure and demand across the region's countries. Turkmenistan, with its significant reserves, could gain additional regional buyers, while the others would have more supply options. Uzbekistan is a major producer and consumer of gas with growing winter demand; Kazakhstan produces gas, but its main resource base lies in the west, far from population centers. Kyrgyzstan depends on imported gas, and Tajikistan, which generates most of its electricity from hydropower plants, also imports gas — according to its energy ministry, 126.4 million cubic meters were imported from Uzbekistan in the first half of 2026. The countries already trade gas across the border, and the ring is meant to build on existing links, making flows more flexible. 'When Uzbekistan or some other Central Asian countries, such as Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan, need more gas in winter, we will be able to arrange supplies in reverse mode,' said Assylbek Zhakiyev, chairman of PetroCouncil Kazakhstan; he was describing a potential reverse-flow capability, not an already agreed operating regime. Valerie Ducrot, executive director of the Geneva-based Global Gas Centre, whom Ismailov now advises, called the project interesting because it would increase supply reliability for all these countries.

From Proposal to Investment

Ismailov said that Uzbekneftegaz had shown interest after preliminary talks, and that the Global Gas Centre signed a memorandum of understanding with the authorities of Karakalpakstan in May. According to him, discussions are underway with potential investors from China and the Middle East. Beyond financing, the project would require agreements on supply volumes, transit rules and the operation of interconnected pipelines, including defining sections with bilateral gas supply. The final financing scheme, agreements among all five governments and the construction timeline have not been publicly announced; the cost and capacity figures remain estimates by the project's supporters.

Uzbekistan Expands Exploration Amid Falling Output

In parallel, Uzbekistan is seeking to strengthen its own production: from January to August 2026, large industrial enterprises produced 24.2 billion cubic meters of gas, 16.3% less than a year earlier, according to national statistics. At an October review, authorities reported the discovery of five new gas condensate fields this year, 80 wells drilled from January to September, and another 40 planned for the final quarter. 'Natural gas remains the cornerstone of Uzbekistan's energy system,' said Denis Borodenok of UNG Overseas, a subsidiary of Uzbekneftegaz and co-organizer of the forum. The government is also conducting deeper exploration in the Ustyurt region and taking measures to increase output at existing fields.

Broader Ties with Azerbaijan and Europe

The forum also discussed opportunities to strengthen energy ties between Central Asia, Azerbaijan and European markets. Zhakiyev said that closer cooperation with Azerbaijan and the EU could help the region's producers increase hydrocarbon exports. Azerbaijan's SOCAR, Britain's BP and Uzbekneftegaz are already partners in an oil and gas exploration project in the Ustyurt region. Azerbaijan also supplies gas to EU countries via the Southern Gas Corridor: according to the European Commission, deliveries reached 12.5 billion cubic meters in 2025, and in March 2026 the EU and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their broader energy partnership.