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Article from the newspaper Pravda Vostoka (June 30, 1999)

Uzbekistan - Nation of Builders
By B. Usmon and K. Nizamov

The largest gas storage facility in Central Asia was put into operation in Khodzhaabad

The Fergana Valley holds a special place in our country not only because of its unique natural attractions, vital industrial enterprises, and developed agricultural sector, but as well because of its large population. Therefore, the consistent supply of natural gas for the population and the economic-industrial sector is extremely important. However, in the winter period of increased gas demand, there were interruptions in the gas supply. To solve this problem the government undertook an initiative to commission the construction of an underground gas storage facility in the Khodzhaabad Region of the Andizhan Oblast. To accomplish this a massive project was undertaken, and the Khodzhaabad Underground Gas Storage Facility was completed very quickly.

The ceremonial opening of the Khodzhaabad Facility was held on June 29. The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, took part in the ceremony.

This facility was constructed as a result of collaboration with foreign companies and financial organizations. The American Company BSI Industries, Inc. worked on project design, the supply and installation of equipment and personnel training. The company Dresser-Rand supplied 12.5 megawatt centrifugal compressors with turbine drivers for gas injection into the storage area of the facility. Project financing was undertaken by the Chase Manhattan Bank U.S.A. with credit guarantees coming from the U. S. EximBank. Around 70 million dollars were spent on this gas storage facility.

By the year 2000 this underground storage facility will hold 900 million cubic meters of gas and in the future up to 1 billion, 800 million cubic meters of gas. As a result of the start-up of this facility, the volume of gas flowing in the region of the Fergana Valley will increase from 23 – 25 million cubic meters to 31 – 33 million cubic meters a day.

The Head of our nation looked over the Khodzhaabad compressor station where the main equipment is located, and he familiarized himself with the technological processes.

After this ceremony the start-up of the underground facility took place. Taking part in the event were representatives from foreign companies, diplomatic officials, heads of the Republic’s ministries and agencies and journalists. The Khokim (Governor) of the Andizhan Oblast, K. Obidov, opened the ceremony.

The President of Uzbekistan, Islam Karimov, appeared at the ceremony and congratulated everyone upon this important event in the history of the nation.

The head of our government said that on this day, which was anticipated for several years, that an enormous facility was being put into operation that is capable of providing uninterrupted gas supply to industrial enterprises, other consumers and to the citizens of the great and unique Fergana Valley. By this we are solving the problem of providing uninterrupted gas supply, particularly in the winter months, not only to the Andizhan Oblast, but to the entire Fergana Valley.

The Head of our nation also said that in order to comprehend the enormous significance of this event, we must first of all put ourselves in the place of the people living in this region, and in particular in the place of our dear women, who carry out all the burdens and worries of life and create comfort and peace in our families.

The President remarked that only in this way can one evaluate our achievements on the road to improving the lives of the people; the start-up of the Khodzhaabad Underground Gas Storage Facility is one of those significant achievements. Consequently, a government program is now in place for improving the supply of gas and clean drinking water for the agricultural sector in accordance with the government decrees for supplying up to 85% of the Republic’s population with gas and 82% with clean drinking water.

In the midst of our daily concerns we sometimes forget the era in which we live and overlook the kinds of great possibilities that are opening before us.

In the past 8 years one can see the kind of construction work that has been accomplished by the hands of honest and work-loving people in the beautiful and fertile land of Andizhan, and thus we have been able to improve the nation, the President said. The outlook, consciousness, and thought of the people is renewed by this bright confirmation of those principles.

I think that each person will give a positive evaluation of our work on the road to independent development. The great transformations in our nation can not lead any good citizen to feel a sense of indifference, the head of the government added.

President Islam Karimov expressed great appreciation to the representatives of the foreign companies who participated in the realization of the Khodzhaabad Underground Gas Storage Facility and in providing its modern technology and equipment.

The Head of our government noted with pleasure that all assembly and construction work was fulfilled by the National Holding Company "Uzbekneftegaz" and other specialized enterprises and organization of the nation; this allowed for a significant savings of money that was earned by the hard labor of our nation.

As our people say, "A building put up by honest work will stand a hundred years." I am sure that this facility, built by the labor of our engineers and construction workers will serve many years in honor of the emergence of Uzbekistan, the bright future of our people, the President said.

He expressed his sincere appreciation to all of the designers, construction workers and engineers who took part in the building of the Khodzhaabad Underground Gas Storage Facility, a unique facility playing an important role in the development of the oil and gas sectors of the country. The president expressed heartfelt congratulations to the entire population of the beautiful Fergana Valley and to the nation as a whole upon the completion of this enormous undertaking.

The President of the company BSI Industries, Inc., Lynn Youngs and the President of the company Dresser-Rand, Patrick Murry also delivered speeches at the ceremony and remarked that the realization of this project was under the constant attention of the political and business circles of the USA, and that in recent years the acheivments of Uzbekistan’s oil and gas industry, the region’s rich natural resources and its great potential have come to be recognized on a world wide scale.

Answering the questions of interested journalists, President Islam Karimov said that the natural gas reserves of the Republic amount to 2.5 trillion cubic meters. Therefore, special attention has been primarily placed on meeting the full needs of the population of the country. Construction of such a scale is significant for us not in terms of the money spent, but rather from the point of view of raising the living standard of the nation and improving the lives of agricultural workers. I think that the start-up of the gas storage facility in 1999, the year of the woman, will be a good gift for them, the Head of the nation said.

Also taking part in the ceremony was the Khokim of the Namangansk Oblast, T. Dzhabborov, the Khokim of the Fergana Oblast, N. Muminov and the U. S. Ambassador to Uzbekistan, J. Pressel.