Uzbekistan shutting down gas field that saw methane leak - Energy Ministry

TASHKENT. Jan 21 (Interfax) - Work is now underway to safely flare off and neutralize gas at the 25 Years of Independence (M-25) gas field in the in Surkhandarya region in southern Uzbekistan, where a methane leak occurred last September, the country's Energy Ministry reported.

The ministry denied media reports that new problems have arisen at the field. Media outlets have published photos of fires at M-25.

"There are no unforeseen situations in the area of the M-25 field. Planned work to mothball the well at which a methane leak occurred in September 2024 is underway and constant monitoring is being done," the ministry said.

"During the work to clean up the incident at well No. 604, there was an accumulation of a negligible amount of gas through hairline cracks in voids and reservoirs near the surface far from the well. The small amount of accumulated gas is now being burned off," the ministry said.

This is being done to prevent sour gas from being released into the atmosphere, the ministry said, adding that this is a standard procedure to prevent contamination of the environment and is in line with international industrial safety standards.

A hydrogen sulfide gas leak was reported at a well at the M-25 field in early September 2024. The Energy Ministry blamed the leak, which killed four people, on violations of operating procedures. Local residents were evacuated and work was done to stop the leak, with help from Russian and U.S. experts.