Oil and gas industry
The gas industry is the youngest branch of the fuel industry; gas is a cheap fuel and a valuable chemical raw material, and it pollutes the air less than other fuels. Gas deposits lie beside oil deposits: gas coming out with oil is associated gas, while the main part is taken from pure gas fields. In the middle of the last century gas was first used in the Fergana Valley; later large deposits were found in the Bukhara, Kashkadarya and Surkhandarya regions and in Karakalpakstan (such as Gazli, Shurtan and Mubarak). Because it is sent by pipeline, transport is cheap, and gas saved in summer is stored in underground storages and used in winter. In recent years domestic demand has grown while output has fallen, so the country has cut exports and has to bring in part of its gas from abroad. Oil is not used raw; refining gives petrol, diesel, oils and chemical products. Refineries are in Fergana region (Fergana and Altiaryk) and in Bukhara region; oil fields are in the Fergana Valley, Namangan (Mingbulak) and Kashkadarya. Part of the need is met by imported oil.
“Pipeline route”: students trace on the map through which cities Bukhara-area gas reaches Tashkent and show the route with a coloured line.