The Tashkent branch of Gubkin Russian State Oil and Gas University hosted an international conference on petroleum industry personnel training today.

LUKOIL Uzbekistan Operating Company (the Operator of PJSC LUKOIL's exploration and production projects in Uzbekistan) sponsored the forum in collaboration with National Holding Company Uzbekneftegaz and the Tashkent branch of Gubkin Russian State Oil and Gas University.

The conference discussed current petroleum personnel training methods and technologies as well as existing training opportunities for workers and engineers in Uzbekistan. Participants also outlined the personnel demand from petroleum entities in Uzbekistan for the next ten years with respect to the major hydrocarbon production investment projects ahead.

"As a responsible investor LUKOIL strives to contribute to the development of the petroleum industry personnel training system. Uzbek citizens comprise over 85% of the headcount at LUKOIL Uzbekistan Operating Company, so we are keen to widen the training offerings for local staff and support our projects with skilled employees in the long term," – said Anatoly Moskalenko, Vice President for Human Resources and Organizational Development of PJSC LUKOIL.

LUKOIL is realizing major gas production projects in Uzbekistan in collaboration with Uzbekneftegaz. The current headcount at LUKOIL Uzbekistan Operating Company is 1600. It is expected to increase above 3500 at the peak of investment projects.