DUSHANBE, October 24, 2012, Asia-Plus  -- Liquefied gas shipments to Tajikistan have reportedly more than doubled.

Over the first nine months of this year, more than 57,000 tons of liquefied gas has been delivered to Tajikistan, which is 30,000 tons more than in the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Energy and Industries (MoEI).

An official source at a MoEI says Tajikistan imported more than 8,000 tons of liquefied gas in September alone, which is 3,000 tons more than in August.

“Over the first ten days of October alone, 2,604 tons of liquefied gas has been shipped to Tajikistan,” the source note, adding that an average price of one ton of liquefied gas for importers is 659.00 U.S. dollars.

We will recall that liquefied gas shortages have affected Tajikistan by the end of summer.  Liquefied gas shortages have led to a new rise in fuel prices in Tajikistan.  The price of one liter of liquefied gas in Dushanbe rose from 2.60 somoni in early August to 3.20 somoni in early September.  Current price of one liter of liquefied gas fluctuates from 3.70 to 3.80 somoni.

Officials at the antimonopoly agency say the price hike has resulted from annual planned repairs to the liquefied-gas-producing plants in Kazakhstan, which provides the bulk of Tajikistan’s liquefied gas imports.  Kazakhstan has reportedly limited sales in connection with repairing work.

Over the past year, the number of liquefied natural gas (LNG) refueling stations in the country has reportedly been increased from 510 to 526.  The northern Sughd province alone has 230 LNG refueling stations.

The main suppliers of liquefied gas to Tajikistan are Zet Gaz, Muhammad Poulod (Sughd province), Gazpormneft-Tajikistan, Faroz, and Tojiron.