Over 133 million cubic meters of gas misused in less than three months, causing billions in state losses

Based on data from UzEnergoInspection, the ministry revealed that 167 cases of illegal gas usage were identified during this period. In these cases, 82 million 158.9 thousand cubic meters of natural gas were misappropriated, resulting in a loss of 210 billion 428.2 million Uzbek UZS to the state.

Furthermore, according to information from Hududgaztaminot JSC, 6,472 instances of illegal use were discovered. These cases led to a recalculation of 50 million 890 thousand cubic meters of gas, amounting to 117 billion 300 million UZS.

In addition, during this period, 4,942 domestic gas cylinders were seized, preventing the illegal sale of 77.8 tons (equivalent to 36 thousand cubic meters) of liquefied gas.

The total volume of illegal gas use over these months amounted to 133 million 84.9 thousand cubic meters. This quantity is equal to the one-month winter gas consumption of 266,170 households.

"Moreover, had these gas resources been used efficiently, methane refueling stations could have operated continuously for 10 days. All identified violations have been documented, and the relevant authorities have been notified," the statement reads.

Illegal gas use in lime kilns

In March, a hidden lime kiln was uncovered in the Pakhtachi district of Samarkand, where 4 billion UZS worth of natural gas was being illegally used. In April, another lime kiln was discovered in Fergana, where 69.4 million UZS worth of gas was misused.

In May, a lime kiln in Fergana was found to have illegally consumed 289 million UZS worth of natural gas. In August, a person in Samarkand was caught for setting up an illegal lime kiln and misappropriating 3.3 billion UZS worth of gas.

In September, those responsible for illegal gas use in a Fergana lime kiln caused more than 5.5 billion UZS in damage to the state. Additionally, a group in Fergana city was apprehended for stealing 544.6 million UZS worth of gas by running an illegal lime production facility.

Illegal gas use in bakeries

Earlier, a bakery in Namangan was found to be using 273 million UZS worth of natural gas illegally.

Another bakery in Jizzakh was discovered to have misused nearly 700 million UZS worth of gas. In Fergana, five bakeries were identified for illegally using more than 771 million UZS worth of gas. An LLC in Urganch district was also found to have illegally consumed more than 2 billion UZS worth of natural gas.

Additionally, a bakery in Samarkand was caught for illegally using 621 million UZS worth of gas.

Illegal gas use in greenhouses

In the Tashkent region, a greenhouse was found to be illegally using 618.4 million UZS worth of natural gas. Additionally, two greenhouses in Samarkand were discovered to have misused 1 billion UZS worth of gas.

Moreover, a greenhouse in Tashkent was caught illegally using 590 million UZS worth of gas. Later, it was revealed that a greenhouse in Namangan had misused billions of UZS worth of natural gas.