Interfax cited Mr Berik Tolumbayev Kazakh Deputy Oil and Gas Minister as saying that Kazakhstan has agreed with China National Petroleum Corporation on the delivery of 500 million cubic meters of gas from Turkmenistan for the winter heating season due to Uzbekistan restricting the flow from that country.

He said that "By means of signing the necessary protocols with CNPC on November 10, agreement has been reached on replacement operations in the amount of five hundred cubic meters in the fall and winter period of 2011-2012, including twelve million cubic meters before the end of the current year. At 9:00 p.m. [local time] on November 10, Turkmen gas began arriving in the system, and on November 12 the situation was stabilized."

Mr Tolumbayev said as of November 1 Uzbekistan has been restricting the delivery of gas to Kazakhstan. He said that "Against a call for 397,000 cubic meters delivery was reduced by 100,000 cubic meters. To stabilize the situation, the delivery of gas from storage the Amangedy deposit [in Kazakhstan] was increased. The ministry and KazMunayGas negotiation with a trip to Uzbekistan, but Uzbekistan continued to restrict the flow of gas."

(Sourced from Interfax)