One of the worst methane leaks ever recorded occurred last year at a remote well in Kazakhstan, according to new analysis. The leak lasted for over six months and it is estimated that 127,000 tonnes of methane escaped. Methane is a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than carbon dioxide. The environmental impact of this leak is comparable to that of driving more than 717,000 petrol cars for a year. The leak began in June 2023 and was only brought under control in December of that year. The well is currently being sealed with cement to prevent further leakage.
Satellite images were used to track the methane leak. Scientists found high concentrations of methane on 115 different occasions between June and December, leading them to conclude that 127,000 tonnes of methane escaped from the well. This could make it the second worst man-made methane leak ever recorded. Methane is responsible for about 30% of the rise in global temperatures since the Industrial Revolution. Despite the evidence, the company that owns the well denies that a substantial amount of methane was leaked.
A probe into the causes of the accident found that the company failed to appropriately supervise the drilling of the well. A subcontractor was also blamed for numerous failures in the drilling process. This is not the first time major methane leaks have been detected in Central Asia. Kazakhstan has registered dozens of “super-emitter” events, where large amounts of methane are released into the atmosphere. Experts warn that with a projected increase in natural gas production, Kazakhstan faces risks of further methane leakages from gas pipelines.
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