{"id":2205964,"date":"2026-10-19T05:00:51","date_gmt":"2026-10-19T02:00:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2205964"},"modified":"2026-10-19T05:00:51","modified_gmt":"2026-10-19T02:00:51","slug":"how-a-5-billion-gas-ring-could-strengthen-central-asias-energy-security","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2205964","title":{"rendered":"How a $5 billion \u2018Gas Ring\u2019 could strengthen Central Asia\u2019s energy security"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/38\/28\/1200x675_cmsv2_0362443a-a3a7-502e-9545-85ce3d1c1551-9953828.jpg&#8221;]<\/p>\n<article id=\"abe-2934794-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934794\" data-cid=\"9957675\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934794-label-pos1-c-latest-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/76\/61\/189x106_cmsv2_d8079b1c-cfab-568a-a43b-accd6b3fab1c-9957661.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Latest news bulletin | October 19th, 2026 \u2013 Morning\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Top News Stories Today<\/p>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Latest news bulletin | October 19th, 2026 \u2013 Morning\n  <\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article class=\"helper-site-row o-article-newsy\">\n<div class=\"helper-site-container o-article-newsy__container\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__main\">\n<header class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__header\">\n<nav aria-label=\"Breadcrumbs\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs\">\n<div id=\"adb-article-breadcrumb\" class=\"c-article-breadcrumbs__list\">\n<p>                          Business<\/p>\n<p>                          Business<\/p><\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<h1 class=\"c-article-redesign-title\">\n                            How a $5 billion \u2018Gas Ring\u2019 could strengthen Central Asia\u2019s energy security<\/h1>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-video u-position-relative \">\n<div class=\"js-superdiv u-aspect-ratio-16x9 u-position-relative \" data-controller=\"video-player\" data-sponsored=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"js-playercontrols u-height-full u-position-absolute u-width-full is-autoplaying\" data-translations=\"{&quot;error&quot;:&quot;This video could not be played.&quot;,&quot;geoblocked&quot;:&quot;Sorry, this content is not available in your country&quot;,&quot;slow&quot;:&quot;This is taking longer than usual&quot;}\">\n<div class=\"js-loadtrigger js-loadtrigger__button c-loadtrigger__button\" role=\"status\"><span class=\"js-loadtrigger__label c-loadtrigger__label u-visually-hidden\">Loading the video<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"js-poster-img c-article-media__img\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/38\/28\/1536x864_cmsv2_0362443a-a3a7-502e-9545-85ce3d1c1551-9953828.jpg\" width=\"1536\" height=\"864\" loading=\"eager\" alt=\"Delegates attend the second Central Asia Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 15\u201316 October 2026.\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-caption u-position-absolute\"><i id=\"article-caption-content\" class=\"c-article-caption__content\"><span class=\"c-article-caption__text\"><br \/>\n              Delegates attend the second Central Asia Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 15\u201316 October 2026.<br \/>\n                    <span class=\"u-color-white\">&#8211;\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__copyright\">Copyright\u00a0<\/span><span class=\"c-article-caption__credit\">Central Asia Oil and Gas Forum<\/span><\/span><\/i><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-image-copyright c-article-image-copyright--novideo\">\n      Copyright\u00a0Central Asia Oil and Gas Forum\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/header>\n<div class=\"h-grid o-article-newsy__main__body u-article-content\">\n<div class=\"o-article-newsy__contributors-publication-date\">\n<div class=\"c-article-contributors\">\n  By&amp;nbspRushanabonu Aliakbarova\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-publication-date\" data-timestamp=\"1792386051\">\n         Published on<br \/>\n            <time datetime=\"2026-10-19 07:00:51 +02:00\">19\/10\/2026 &#8211; 7:00 GMT+2<\/time><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup-overlay 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Copy\/paste the article video embed link below:<br \/>\n                        <\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed u-display-flex\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/vector\/icon-copy-to-clipboard.svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" alt=\"Copy to clipboard\" class=\"u-cursor-pointer js-c-article-share-comment-copy\" loading=\"lazy\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment-popup__content__embed--success-copied u-display-none js-c-article-share-comment-video-embed-success-link-copied\"><br \/>\n                                Copied<br \/>\n                            <\/span><\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2 class=\"c-article-summary\">\n        A proposed $5bn (\u20ac4.45bn) gas network could help five Central Asian countries share supplies and meet winter demand. The \u2018Gas Ring\u2019 would link new and existing pipelines, but funding and agreements between governments remain to be finalised.<br \/>\n    <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-content c-article-content--business js-article-content\">\n<p>The Central Asia Gas Ring would connect Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through more than 3,000 kilometres of new and upgraded pipelines.<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt loading=\"lazy\"><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The proposal was discussed at the second Central Asia Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent.<\/p>\n<p>Kazakh energy expert Askar Ismailov first presented the idea at the forum&#8217;s inaugural edition in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>He estimates the core infrastructure would cost $5bn (\u20ac4.46bn), including $2bn (\u20ac1.78bn) for new construction and $3bn (\u20ac2.68bn) for modernisation and digitalisation. The proposed network could carry around 20bn cubic metres of gas annually, he says.<\/p>\n<h2>How five countries could benefit from a shared gas network<\/h2>\n<p>The proposal reflects differences in gas resources, infrastructure and demand across Central Asia. Turkmenistan, with substantial reserves, could gain additional regional customers, while other countries could obtain more supply options.<\/p>\n<p>Ismailov now advises the Geneva-based Global Gas Centre, a non-profit organisation bringing together gas industry executives and experts, which is actively involved in advancing the proposal.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe Gas Ring project is a very interesting one because it will enhance the security of supply of all these countries,\u201d the centre&#8217;s executive director, Val\u00e9rie Ducrot, told Euronews.<\/p>\n<p>Uzbekistan is both a major producer and consumer of gas, with demand rising during the winter. Kazakhstan also produces gas, but much of its resource base is in the west, away from major population centres.<\/p>\n<p>Kyrgyzstan relies on imported gas, while Tajikistan generates most of its electricity from hydropower but also imports gas. Tajikistan imported 126.4m cubic metres from Uzbekistan in the first half of 2026, according to its energy ministry.<\/p>\n<p>The countries already trade gas across borders. The proposed ring would build on those connections, adding sections and upgrading existing pipelines to enable more flexible flows.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWhen Uzbekistan or some other Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan demand more gas during winter time, we can do it in reverse mode,\u201d said Assylbek Jakiyev, chairman of PetroCouncil Kazakhstan, an oil and gas industry association.<\/p>\n<p>He was describing the potential for reverse flows, rather than an agreed operating arrangement.<\/p>\n<h2>From proposal to investment<\/h2>\n<p>Ismailov said Uzbekistan&#8217;s national oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz, had expressed interest after preliminary talks.<\/p>\n<p>He also said the Global Gas Centre had signed a memorandum of understanding in May with authorities in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan.<\/p>\n<p>He reported discussions with prospective investors from China and the Middle East.<\/p>\n<p>Beyond funding, the project would require agreements on supply volumes, transit rules and the operation of interconnected pipelines, including which sections could carry gas in both directions.<\/p>\n<p>No final financing structure, agreement among all five national governments or construction timetable has been publicly announced. The projected cost and capacity remain estimates from the proposal&#8217;s backers.<\/p>\n<h2>Uzbekistan expands exploration as gas output declines<\/h2>\n<p>Uzbekistan is seeking to strengthen domestic production alongside regional connections. Large industrial enterprises produced 24.2bn cubic metres of natural gas in January\u2013August 2026, down 16.3% year on year, according to national statistics.<\/p>\n<p>At an October review, Uzbek authorities reported that five new gas-condensate fields had been discovered this year and 80 wells had been drilled between January and September, with a further 40 planned for the final quarter.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cNatural gas remains a cornerstone of Uzbekistan\u2019s energy system,\u201d Denis Borodenok of UNG Overseas, a wholly owned Uzbekneftegaz subsidiary and co-organiser of the Tashkent forum, said.<\/p>\n<p>The government is also pursuing deeper exploration in the Ustyurt region and measures to improve output from existing fields.<\/p>\n<p>Domestic drilling and cross-border connections address different aspects of energy security: increasing production and making supplies easier to distribute.<\/p>\n<h2>Wider energy links with Azerbaijan and Europe<\/h2>\n<p>The Tashkent forum also discussed opportunities to strengthen energy links between Central Asia, Azerbaijan and European markets.<\/p>\n<p>Assylbek Jakiyev of PetroCouncil Kazakhstan said closer cooperation with Azerbaijan and the EU could help Central Asian producers expand hydrocarbon exports.<\/p>\n<p>Some partnerships are already taking shape. Azerbaijan&#8217;s SOCAR, Britain&#8217;s BP and Uzbekneftegaz are partners in an oil and gas exploration project in Uzbekistan&#8217;s Ustyurt region.<\/p>\n<p>Azerbaijan also supplies natural gas to EU countries through the Southern Gas Corridor. Deliveries reached 12.5bn cubic metres in 2025, according to the European Commission. The EU and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their wider energy partnership in March 2026.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>                                  Go to accessibility shortcuts<\/p>\n<div class=\"c-article-share-comment u-align-items-center u-display-flex\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__links u-align-items-center u-display-flex u-justify-content-center js-c-article-share-comment-share\"><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Share<\/span><\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label\">Comments<\/span><span class=\"c-article-share-comment__label c-article-share-comment__label--always\">Add Euronews on Google<\/span><\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-you-might-also-like\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-article-you-might-also-like\">\n<h2 class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__title\">\n        Read more<br \/>\n      <\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-article-you-might-also-like__container\">\n<article id=\"abe-2934119-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934119\" data-cid=\"9954364\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934119-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/43\/64\/480x270_cmsv2_ec474b4d-64b7-5de4-88fb-5b97bcb5556a-9954364.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A worker mops the floor near an electronic screen displaying stock prices at the Indonesia Stock Exchange in Jakarta, Friday, 16 Oct. 2026.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Markets<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Indonesian stocks suffer worst fall in 28 years after MSCI warning<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933737-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933737\" data-cid=\"9952576\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933737-label-pos1-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/25\/76\/480x270_cmsv2_402af078-75cc-5015-99ce-89da63fd6dad-9952576.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"A woman holds 100 euro (pink banknotes at bottom) and 100 Swiss francs (blue banknote at top) she withdrew from an ATM in a bank in Geneva, Switzerland, on Tuesday, Jan. 8, 20\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Economy<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Income after rent: How much is left across European cities?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933927-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2933927\" data-cid=\"9953555\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933927-label-pos2-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/35\/55\/480x270_cmsv2_b0460a4c-adbb-5f9c-8f67-c4e6222aebe7-9953555.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"File - An F35 Lockheed Martin flies at the Paris Air Show, Tuesday, June 17, 2025 in Le Bourget, north of Paris. \" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n                    Business<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Norway may open \u20ac2 trillion wealth fund to nuclear weapons makers<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"perf-cv-auto\">\n<ul id=\"adb-article-tags\" class=\"c-tags-list\">\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Central Asia<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Gas<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Kazakhstan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Energy<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Uzbekistan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<li class=\"c-tags-list__item\">\n<section class=\"tc-cta\" data-twig-component=\"Cta-default\">\n  Azerbaijan<br \/>\n<\/section>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tp-vuukle\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton\" aria-hidden=\"true\">\n<div class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__header\"><span class=\"c-vuukle-skeleton__title\">Comments<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<aside class=\"o-article-newsy__aside\">\n<div class=\"c-ad-wrapper o-article-newsy__aside__content-1\" data-ad-name=\"adzone-halfpage\">\n<div class=\"c-ad c-ad-halfpage u-show-for-desktop\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"adb-article-top-stories\" class=\"perf-cv-auto c-top-stories\">\n<h2 class=\"c-top-stories__title\">Top stories<\/h2>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2934691-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934691\" data-cid=\"9957298\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934691-label-pos2-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/72\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_bfc640ae-7c83-5da8-b291-a4b710ecbc4a-9957298.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters gather during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students&apos; grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Thibault Camus)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Wages vs prices: The economic pressures behind Europe&#8217;s protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2933341-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933341\" data-cid=\"9955064\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933341-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/06\/52\/320x180_cmsv2_56bcde7c-4e2b-5318-a779-45e7a7eedb7f-9950652.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pensioners stage a protest in a photo taken on Wednesday 26 September 2018 in Madrid, Spain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain\u2019s pension bill is growing: Who will pay as election looms?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2934749-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934749\" data-cid=\"9957538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934749-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/75\/38\/320x180_cmsv2_59e91701-4f46-5a26-af1d-e92cc6adb7b0-9957538.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Containers are loaded and unloaded in trucks at terminal in Qingdao in eastern China&apos;s Shandong province on Aug. 28, 2026. (Chinatopix via AP)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    China\u2019s economy grows 4.5% in third quarter on export surge<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-top-stories__item\">\n<article id=\"abe-2934041-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934041\" data-cid=\"9954074\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934041-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/40\/74\/320x180_cmsv2_9fe7d6db-cbc7-5a17-a159-10769a351f92-9954074.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Festival-goers party in the Luminarium Tent on Shipyard Island, the venue of the 24th Sziget (Island) Festival in Northern Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016\" height=\"9\" 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class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"c-ad u-show-for-mobile-only\">\n<div class=\"c-ad__placeholder\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"c-ad__placeholder__logo\" src=\"https:\/\/static.euronews.com\/website\/images\/logos\/logo-euronews-stacked-outlined-72x72-grey-9.svg\" width=\"72\" height=\"72\" alt><span>ADVERTISEMENT<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934119-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-1 m-modeDesktop-1\" data-nid=\"2934119\" data-cid=\"9954364\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934119-label-pos0-c-article-you-might-also-like__item\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img 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src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/72\/98\/320x180_cmsv2_bfc640ae-7c83-5da8-b291-a4b710ecbc4a-9957298.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Protesters gather during a demonstration against rising living costs, joining students&apos; grievances, in Paris, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026. (AP Photo\/Thibault Camus)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Wages vs prices: The economic pressures behind Europe&#8217;s protests<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933341-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933341\" data-cid=\"9955064\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933341-label-pos3-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/06\/52\/320x180_cmsv2_56bcde7c-4e2b-5318-a779-45e7a7eedb7f-9950652.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Pensioners stage a protest in a photo taken on Wednesday 26 September 2018 in Madrid, Spain.\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Spain\u2019s pension bill is growing: Who will pay as election looms?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934749-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934749\" data-cid=\"9957538\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934749-label-pos4-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/75\/38\/320x180_cmsv2_59e91701-4f46-5a26-af1d-e92cc6adb7b0-9957538.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Containers are loaded and unloaded in trucks at terminal in Qingdao in eastern China&apos;s Shandong province on Aug. 28, 2026. (Chinatopix via AP)\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    China\u2019s economy grows 4.5% in third quarter on export surge<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934041-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934041\" data-cid=\"9954074\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2934041-label-pos5-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/40\/74\/320x180_cmsv2_9fe7d6db-cbc7-5a17-a159-10769a351f92-9954074.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Festival-goers party in the Luminarium Tent on Shipyard Island, the venue of the 24th Sziget (Island) Festival in Northern Budapest, Hungary, Thursday, Aug. 11, 2016\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     Leisure out of reach for one in eight in the EU: Where is it worst?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933506-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-2 m-modeDesktop-2 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933506\" data-cid=\"9951297\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<figure id=\"abe-2933506-label-pos6-top-stories\" class=\"the-media-object__figure\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"the-media-object__image\" src=\"https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/12\/97\/320x180_cmsv2_0f08de75-4f31-5061-b542-968cd0fb2589-9951297.jpg\" loading=\"lazy\" alt=\"Workers making jewellery in Pandora&apos;s new factory\" height=\"9\" width=\"16\"><\/figure>\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Inside the world\u2019s biggest fine jewellery factory: Pandora\u2019s next bet<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2933737-pos1-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2933737\" data-cid=\"9952576\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Income after rent: How much is left across European cities?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934250-pos2-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-video the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934250\" data-cid=\"9955158\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Uzbekistan signs $4.7bn energy deals, plans two more nuclear plants<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-795514-pos3-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"795514\" data-cid=\"3983694\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Which European countries are the most expensive?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934041-pos4-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934041\" data-cid=\"9954074\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>     Leisure out of reach for one in eight in the EU: Where is it worst?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<article id=\"abe-2934182-pos5-mostViewed\" class=\"the-media-object m-modeMobile-3 m-modeDesktop-3 the-media-object--has-related the-media-object--no-label\" data-nid=\"2934182\" data-cid=\"9954732\" data-part-label=\"Partner content\">\n<div class=\"the-media-object__content\">\n<h3 class=\"the-media-object__title  \">\n<p>    Could Tesla\u2019s flying car send sales and shares soaring?<br \/>\n  <\/h3>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<div class=\"articleBody\" data-key=\"articleBody\">The Central Asia Gas Ring would connect Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan through more than 3,000 kilometres of new and upgraded pipelines.The proposal was discussed at the second Central Asia Oil and Gas Forum in Tashkent.Kazakh energy expert Askar Ismailov first presented the idea at the forum&#8217;s inaugural edition in 2025.He estimates the core infrastructure would cost $5bn (\u20ac4.46bn), including $2bn (\u20ac1.78bn) for new construction and $3bn (\u20ac2.68bn) for modernisation and digitalisation. The proposed network could carry around 20bn cubic metres of gas annually, he says.How five countries could benefit from a shared gas networkThe proposal reflects differences in gas resources, infrastructure and demand across Central Asia. Turkmenistan, with substantial reserves, could gain additional regional customers, while other countries could obtain more supply options.Ismailov now advises the Geneva-based Global Gas Centre, a non-profit organisation bringing together gas industry executives and experts, which is actively involved in advancing the proposal.\u201cThe Gas Ring project is a very interesting one because it will enhance the security of supply of all these countries,\u201d the centre&#8217;s executive director, Val\u00e9rie Ducrot, told Euronews.Uzbekistan is both a major producer and consumer of gas, with demand rising during the winter. Kazakhstan also produces gas, but much of its resource base is in the west, away from major population centres.Kyrgyzstan relies on imported gas, while Tajikistan generates most of its electricity from hydropower but also imports gas. Tajikistan imported 126.4m cubic metres from Uzbekistan in the first half of 2026, according to its energy ministry.The countries already trade gas across borders. The proposed ring would build on those connections, adding sections and upgrading existing pipelines to enable more flexible flows.\u201cWhen Uzbekistan or some other Central Asian countries like Kyrgyzstan or Tajikistan demand more gas during winter time, we can do it in reverse mode,\u201d said Assylbek Jakiyev, chairman of PetroCouncil Kazakhstan, an oil and gas industry association.He was describing the potential for reverse flows, rather than an agreed operating arrangement.From proposal to investmentIsmailov said Uzbekistan&#8217;s national oil and gas company, Uzbekneftegaz, had expressed interest after preliminary talks.He also said the Global Gas Centre had signed a memorandum of understanding in May with authorities in Karakalpakstan, an autonomous republic within Uzbekistan.He reported discussions with prospective investors from China and the Middle East.Beyond funding, the project would require agreements on supply volumes, transit rules and the operation of interconnected pipelines, including which sections could carry gas in both directions.No final financing structure, agreement among all five national governments or construction timetable has been publicly announced. The projected cost and capacity remain estimates from the proposal&#8217;s backers.Uzbekistan expands exploration as gas output declinesUzbekistan is seeking to strengthen domestic production alongside regional connections. Large industrial enterprises produced 24.2bn cubic metres of natural gas in January\u2013August 2026, down 16.3% year on year, according to national statistics.At an October review, Uzbek authorities reported that five new gas-condensate fields had been discovered this year and 80 wells had been drilled between January and September, with a further 40 planned for the final quarter.\u201cNatural gas remains a cornerstone of Uzbekistan\u2019s energy system,\u201d Denis Borodenok of UNG Overseas, a wholly owned Uzbekneftegaz subsidiary and co-organiser of the Tashkent forum, said.The government is also pursuing deeper exploration in the Ustyurt region and measures to improve output from existing fields.Domestic drilling and cross-border connections address different aspects of energy security: increasing production and making supplies easier to distribute.Wider energy links with Azerbaijan and EuropeThe Tashkent forum also discussed opportunities to strengthen energy links between Central Asia, Azerbaijan and European markets.Assylbek Jakiyev of PetroCouncil Kazakhstan said closer cooperation with Azerbaijan and the EU could help Central Asian producers expand hydrocarbon exports.Some partnerships are already taking shape. Azerbaijan&#8217;s SOCAR, Britain&#8217;s BP and Uzbekneftegaz are partners in an oil and gas exploration project in Uzbekistan&#8217;s Ustyurt region.Azerbaijan also supplies natural gas to EU countries through the Southern Gas Corridor. Deliveries reached 12.5bn cubic metres in 2025, according to the European Commission. The EU and Azerbaijan reaffirmed their wider energy partnership in March 2026.<\/div>\n<p>[analyse_source url=&#8221;https:\/\/www.euronews.com\/2026\/10\/19\/gas-ring-5-billion-proposal-aims-to-strengthen-central-asias-energy-security&#8221;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[analyse_image type=&#8221;featured&#8221; src=&#8221;https:\/\/images.euronews.com\/articles\/stories\/09\/95\/38\/28\/1200x675_cmsv2_0362443a-a3a7-502e-9545-85ce3d1c1551-9953828.jpg&#8221;] Canada Alberta votes on Canada secession as PM fights to keep country united Europe News Second day of street clashes in Milan against cost of living Nature \u2018Ocean sanctuaries\u2019 could keep leatherback turtles out of danger zones Top News Stories Today Latest news bulletin | October 19th, 2026 \u2013 Morning Business Business [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[90],"tags":[226,36],"class_list":["post-2205964","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-international","tag-crawlmanager","tag-euronews-com"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2205964","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2205964"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2205964\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2205964"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2205964"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2205964"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}