While authorities in Uzbekistan's capital, Tashkent, discuss terms to attract international oil majors and investors in its energy sector, a well-connected and informed newcomer has declared a goal of becoming the second-largest independent gas producer in the country by end of this year, writes Vladimir Afanasiev.

US-incorporated Epsilon Development says that production of gas at its five blocks in Uzbekistan was set to grow to 25 million cubic metres per day by the end of October.