From Fuels to Petrochemicals: Fergana Refinery’s Vision

In an exclusive interview, a Alexey Myltsyn, Director of Oil Refining Directorate of Saneg shared insight into the company’s modernisation program, along with its long-term strategy for contributing to the energy transition and industrial growth of Uzbekistan.

Supplying Uzbekistan with High-Quality Fuels

“Despite the fact that the Fergana Refinery is a private enterprise, its main priority is to supply the domestic market with the highest quality and most competitively priced petroleum products,” the company representative emphasized.

The modernization program currently in progress is aimed at meeting local demand for petroleum products, reducing imports, and increasing the yield of light petroleum products. Among the key targets is an increase in the output of Euro-5 standard automotive and aviation fuels, enhancing the refinery’s position within the national energy infrastructure.

Looking ahead, the strategy of Fergana Refinery goes far beyond the next few years: “We are thinking in a horizon of 10 years and more,” he said.

The second modernization phase of the refinery follows the current global and regional shift from traditional motor fuels to petrochemical products and includes the construction of an aromatics complex.

This complex serves a dual purpose:

• Environmental improvement – by removing aromatic hydrocarbons like benzene from motor fuels to meet strict Euro-5 ecological standards;
• Value creation – by transforming extracted aromatics into petrochemical feedstocks such as paraxylene, which is later processed into terephthalic acid and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a vital polymer used in a wide range of consumer products.

This transformation reflects a broader vision: supporting Uzbekistan’s industrial diversification while promoting eco-friendly, sustainable production.

International Collaboration as a Cornerstone

Modernisation on such a scale would be impossible without international partnerships. “It’s unrealistic to work in isolation,” said the representative.

The refinery works closely with international licensors, engineering firms, and equipment suppliers from Russia, Europe, Asia, Japan, and China. These partnerships bring access to advanced technologies, high-quality materials, and innovative expertise that accelerate modernization and ensure the plant’s competitiveness.

“The forum is an ideal platform for establishing direct contacts with potential technology and equipment partners,” he concluded.

The modernization story of Fergana Refinery mirrors Uzbekistan’s broader ambition — to become a logistics and industrial hub for Central Asia, where sustainable growth, innovation, and collaboration drive the energy sector forward.