State-owned Uzbekneftegaz has declined to disclose the contract price with China’s CCDC to contain a gas blowout at the 25 Years of Independence field (M-25) in Baysun district, Surkhandarya province, citing a confidentiality agreement.

Company officials made the comments at a news conference on Oct. 27.

“The cost is confidential information. The two companies have signed a non-disclosure agreement, so before disclosing any figures we must get the other side’s consent,” said Abrorjon Khudoyberganov, deputy chairman of the management board for processing.

He said the price was not artificially inflated and that the decision followed all required expert reviews and opinions from relevant state bodies. Press secretary Mumin Ibodov said board chairman Abdugani Sanginov repeatedly sent contractors’ proposals back for revision over cost or other requirements.

Chief geologist Nodir Mukhiddinov said the company held talks with firms from the United States, China and Russia. Specialists and consultants judged CCDC, a unit of state-owned CNPC, the most suitable, citing its experience with similar accidents, he said. Officials said work has begun and equipment is being delivered.

In June, Sanginov said the accident is expected to be fully contained in the first half of 2027 and that four additional wells must be drilled. He said the Chinese partners will be paid in cash, not natural resources. Drilling is scheduled to begin in January 2027.

Gas with a high hydrogen sulfide content has been escaping from the field since Sept. 1, 2024, when an uncontrolled release occurred during drilling at well No. 604. The accident killed four contractor employees. Total spending on emergency work since then and the volume of gas lost have not been published.