Gas Field Ablaze in Uzbekistan

Near the city of Baysun, in the area of the "25 Years of Independence" gas field where a well has been shut down, dozens of spots are ablaze due to a gas leak, reports NewsBox.

According to Kun.uz, numerous burning patches have been recorded at the "25 Years of Independence" gas field in the Surkhandarya region.

The editors of Kun.uz have obtained footage showing how a gas leak has resulted in fiery cracks forming around the closed well.

Local residents reported that near a major gas well, closed earlier due to an accident, dozens of cracks have appeared, from which gas is seeping.

It is noted that the cracks were ignited, creating a so-called "valley of fire."

In the footage taken on January 18, numerous burning areas can be seen.

Residents claim that gas is escaping from small cracks reminiscent of "springs," and they express doubts about the causes of what is happening.

"We are told this is linked to an oil leak, but no one provides a precise explanation. At the same time, there is no smell of gas. The authorities remain silent, although they previously promised to investigate," shared one witness.

Witnesses also indicated that each such "spring" is monitored by guards.

"Every gas outlet has been assigned a person for supervision. In an area of about 100 hectares, gas is escaping from approximately 18-19 small cracks, including 1-2 large ones," remarked a local resident.

Authorities have not yet officially commented on the incident.

On September 1, 2024, work on developing the M25 field, which began in 2017, was halted due to an accident. Residents were relocated from nearby communities.

In another accident on September 17, four employees of the subcontractor Eriell were killed.

In early November, the Ministry of Energy of Uzbekistan stated that it might take 2-3 months to resolve the situation at the site.