Months-long methane release discovered in Kazakhstan

New analysis has revealed that one of the worst methane leaks ever recorded occurred at a remote well in Kazakhstan last year. The blowout at the well caused a fire that lasted over six months and released an estimated 127,000 tonnes of methane, a greenhouse gas that is significantly more potent than carbon dioxide. The company that owns the well, Buzachi Neft, denies that a substantial amount of methane was leaked. However, experts have compared the environmental impact of the leak to that of driving over 717,000 petrol cars for a year. The leak was first discovered by the geoanalytics firm Kayrros and has since been verified by other institutions. Scientists found high concentrations of methane on 115 separate occasions between June and December, leading them to conclude that this could be 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, according to the International Energy Agency. While the company has disputed the findings and claimed that only water vapor was leaked, scientists involved in verifying the data stand by their findings and deny the company's claims. An official investigation into the accident found that Buzachi Neft and its subcontractor, Zaman Energo, failed to appropriately supervise the drilling process. This incident highlights the risks associated with methane leaks and the need for stricter regulations in the natural gas industry. Kazakhstan, like neighboring Turkmenistan, has experienced numerous major methane leaks, and with the projected increase in natural gas production, there is a concern for more leaks in the future. Kazakhstan has committed to reducing its methane emissions under the Global Methane Pledge.