Fuel and energy resources

Oil and gas

Oil and gas recovery is carried out in the Fergana valley. Oil and gas deposits are multi-layered and confined to aleurolite-siltstone rocks of the Jurassic and Cretaceous period, to carbonate-terrigenous reservoirs of the Paleogene period and gravelite-sand sediments of the Neogene period. 14 deposits were defined, including 7 oil deposits (Maili-Sai, Chigirchik, Changyrtash, Karagachi, Tamchy, Bishkent-Togap, Tashravat), 4 oil and gas deposits (Mailisu III, Mailisu IV – Vostochnyi Izbaskent, Izbaskent, Nyiazbek – Severnyi Karachikum), 2 gas deposits (Suzak, Yuzhnyi Rishtan).

Recoverable reserves amount to oil – 13 million tonnes, gas – 6.5 billion m3. Over 10 million tonnes of oil and over 7.5 billion m3 of gas were recovered since commencement of development in the Fergana valley of Kyrgyzstan. The highest value of oil recovery amounted to 320 thousand tonnes per year, gas – 380 million m3 per year.

Perspectives of increasing raw hydrocarbon reserves in Kyrgyzstan are related to study of pre-Mesozoic sediments of the Fergana valley as well as in-depth study of Alai, Naryn, Aksai and other intermountain areas.

Coal

To date, approximately 70 deposits and coal occurrences have been found on the territory of the country. They are grouped into four basins: Southern Fergana (Sulyukta, Kyzyl-Kyia, Beshburkhan, Abshyr, Almalyk), Uzgen (Kok-Yangak, Kumbel, Zindan); Northern Fergana (Tashkumyr, Kara-Tut, Tegenek); Kavak (Kok-Moinok, Minkush, Kara-Keche) and three coal-bearing districts: Alai, Alabuka-Chatyrkul and Southern Issyk-Kul. Coal deposits are formed by the Trias-Jurassic sediments represented by alternating clay, argillite, siltstone, sandstone and bibbley-rock with coal beds. Commercial coal beds are confined to the lower part of section, to Early Jurassic rocks. 1,377,486 thousand tonnes of coal are registered, including 76% under А+В+С1 categories and 24% under С2 category.  Most reserves are for underground mining. Although there are considerable coal reserves, coal mining in Kyrgyzstan has decreased from 3.1 million tonnes in 1991 to 400-550 thousand tonnes in recent years. Many coal pits were closed in the 1990-s. Currently 65-70% of coal consumed is exported from Kazakhstan. Most perspective areas for development are Kara-Keche and Minkush deposits with explored reserves of 435 and 116 million tonnes.