Two Successive Accidents at the Same Well in Uzbekistan Result in Four Deaths

Two consecutive incidents at a gas development well being drilled onshore in Uzbekistan have resulted in the deaths of four people. The well, located at a field jointly owned by a prominent Russian businessman and a leading Uzbek tycoon, experienced blowouts on 1 and 17 September, with several others hospitalized as a result of the accidents.

According to reports from Uzbek media, the second blowout at the Mustakillikning-25 field — named to honor the 25th anniversary of Uzbekistan’s independence — caused the deaths of four workers employed by a contracting company. Sherzod Asadov, the presidential spokesperson, confirmed this information.

The field, located in the Surkhandarya region, is managed by Eriell, Uzbekistan’s largest oilfield services provider. The exploration and development of the field is believed to contain 170 billion cubic metres of recoverable gas.

The first blowout, which occurred on 1 September at well #604, did not result in any fatalities but did lead to injuries. Although no fire ignited following the incident, a mix of gas and hydrogen sulphide leaked for two weeks. Eriell reported the situation was brought under control by midday on 15 September.

Image credit: Eriell