On August 15, official work commenced to seal the emergency well at the '25 Years of Independence' (M-25) gas field in the Boysun district of Surkhandarya region, where gas has been leaking since a technogenic accident in September 2024. This was announced by the press secretary of Uzbekneftegaz, Mumin Ibodov.
A meeting with residents of the nearby Kafrun village was held, attended by the chairman of Uzbekneftegaz, Abdugani Sanginov, the hokim of Boysun district, Bakhodir Shukurov, and representatives of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). The meeting discussed plans for well closure and measures to ensure public safety.
It was reported that China's CCDC (Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited), a subsidiary of CNPC, has been engaged for the work. Proposals from Russian (Rosneft), US (Schlumberger), and South Korean companies were also considered.
During a visit to the region in late February, President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that a scientific solution for sealing the well had been found in cooperation with international partners. "We will stop the accident and launch a project that will give a big boost to Surkhandarya's economy," the head of state said.
According to Uzbekneftegaz, more than 40 pieces of special equipment, including drilling rigs capable of handling gas with high hydrogen sulfide content, are planned to be delivered to Boysun from China and other countries by the end of the year. Drilling operations are expected to begin in January.
The complete sealing of the well is scheduled for July 2027. M-25 is currently the largest undeveloped gas field in Uzbekistan. Along with field development, the construction of a gas processing complex is also planned.
Recall that on September 1, 2024, a gas leak occurred during drilling operations at well No. 604. Local residents were evacuated. Emergency response efforts lasted two weeks, but on September 17, the leak resumed, resulting in four deaths. In March 2025, a gas leak occurred from another well at the field.
Former Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, speaking about the field's characteristics and complexity, called the accident an "emergency situation." An adviser to the head of Eriell attributed the incident to anomalously high formation pressure and the effect of hydrogen sulfide on equipment.
Source: www.gazeta.uz