BAKU (AzerNews) — New reserves of gas condensate were discovered on the Ustyurt plateau in Karakalpakstan, Uzbekneftegaz reported.

The presence of industrial volumes of gas and condensate was discovered at a depth of 3,600 meters in accordance with forecasts of domestic geologists. Assessment of the reserves of new gas fields has not yet been completed. According to its results, a decision will be taken on further industrial production, as well as on the continuation of geological exploration work.

Until 2020, Uzbekistan plans to implement 38 projects in the oil and gas industry with a total cost of about $20.6 bln. Therefore, in the period of 2017-2021, the country expects to increase gas production by 53.5 bln m³ — oil by 1.9 mln tons and gas condensate by 1.1 mln tons.

As many as 246 oil and gas fields were discovered in Uzbekistan during the whole period of geological exploration.