Saneg Recovers, Converts Oilfield Gas to Reduce Flaring in Uzbekistan

Saneg is capturing and utilizing oilfield-produced gas in Uzbekistan, reducing the CO₂ emissions associated with flaring operations. The company already extinguished six flares, reducing its carbon footprint by approximately 140,000 tons of CO₂ per year, with recovered gas used to generate energy domestically. Since March 2024, Saneg installed and commissioned 70 km of gas pipelines and 21 modular compressor units across numerous Uzbekistani oilfields, including:

• Northern Urtabulak
• Sardob
• Shurtepa
• Eastern Tashly
• Northern Shurtan
• Yangi Karatepa
• Turtsari

The compressors provide gas compression at pressures between 5-40 atmospheres, while ultrasonic gas flow meters and specialized equipment ensure accurate measurement. The pipelines can handle 70 MCM of methane annually.

Flared gas capture operation in Uzbekistan; image credit: Saneg

Saneg Project Details

Vema and ICA-Finance initiated, financed, conducted pre-project studies, and implemented the project, while Geo Research & Development Co. (GRDC) developed technical documentation and Saneg managed construction. Following this completion, Saneg is planning a similar project at the Shirkent field, partnering with Vema to assess flared gas volumes and develop a technical solution.

“In March last year, the company launched a €14 million project in partnership with Switzerland's Vema, Norway's ICA-Finance, and Uzbekistan's GRDC, to reduce flaring of associated gas produced at its key oilfields by processing and feeding this gas into the national transmission grid,” said Tulkin Yusupov, CEO, Saneg. “We strive to introduce the best available technologies that ensure the efficient and careful use of resources and reduce the anthropogenic load for the transition to a green economy.”

In 2024, Saneg partnered with Vema and ICA-Finance on a leak detection and repair campaign for its assets, using advanced analytical systems and drones to prevent over 83,000 tons of CO₂-equivalent methane emissions annually. Due to this work, Saneg became the first company in Central Asia to register a methane emissions-reduction program at its production assets with Germany's Emissions Trading Authority.

Energy in Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan, a leading natural gas producer in the Soviet era, is challenged with securing and sustainably producing its energy supply. Currently, the nation struggles with declining natural gas production, forcing it to rely increasingly on energy imports to fuel its growing economy. Simultaneously, it’s subject to international pressure to address emissions from its oil and gas industry—Saneg is addressing these issues by bolstering Uzbekistan's energy supply while cutting emissions.

Methane in Oil & Gas

Methane, the main component of natural gas, is on the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) hit list, calling it a climate “super pollutant.” Methane has a shorter lifetime in the atmosphere than CO₂ but a greater near-term warming potential. According to the EPA, methane is responsible for approximately one-third of the current warming resulting from human activities and is a greenhouse gas (GHG) with a global warming factor 28 times higher than CO₂.

The International Energy Agency says methane abatement in the oil and gas industry is one of the cheapest options to reduce GHG emissions anywhere in the economy, and the industry has the largest potential for abatement in the near term. The energy sector accounts for nearly 40% of total methane emissions from human activity; oil and gas operations are responsible for 80 million tons of methane emissions.