The Bukhara Oil Refinery is planned to undergo a $328 million modernization. The project will add 2.5 million tonnes to the refinery’s annual crude-processing capacity, bringing the total to 5 million tonnes per year. It will also increase production of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline meeting the Euro-5 environmental standard.

On November 3, 2026, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the Bukhara Oil Refinery in the Karakulbazar district and reviewed the modernization project.

The total cost of the project is estimated at $328 million.

More Euro-5 gasoline will be produced

The modernization project includes the installation of naphtha hydrotreating and isomerization units.

Hydrotreating will reduce sulfur and other impurities contained in the feedstock.

Isomerization will help increase the octane rating of gasoline produced from light petroleum fractions.

The new technologies are expected to increase production of AI-92 and AI-95 gasoline that complies with Euro-5 environmental requirements.

The project also provides for improvements in feedstock fractionation and the deep processing of heavy residues.

Processing capacity will reach 5 million tonnes

As a result of the modernization, the refinery’s annual processing capacity will increase by an additional 2.5 million tonnes.

Its total annual capacity will therefore reach:

5 million tonnes.

The increase in processing capacity is expected to strengthen domestic fuel supply and expand export opportunities.

How much does the refinery currently produce?

During January–September 2026, the Bukhara Oil Refinery:

produced 1.36 million tonnes of petroleum products;

manufactured products worth UZS 12.1 trillion;

exported products and services worth $99.5 million.

Exports are expected to reach $116 million by the end of 2026.

More than 3,200 specialists work at the refinery.

When will the modernization begin?

The feasibility study for the project has already been prepared and a conclusion from the Center for Comprehensive Expertise has been obtained.

Representatives of Uzbekneftegaz previously stated that, once the project is formally approved, modernization works could begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 or in 2027.

Important: as of now, the number of a separate regulatory legal act formally approving the modernization project has not been officially published.

Official basis

The official statement concerning the President of Uzbekistan’s visit to the Bukhara Oil Refinery on November 3, 2026, as well as the modernization project presented by Uzbekneftegaz.