The emergency well in Baysun is scheduled to be shut down by July 2027.
Well closure work has begun at the 25 Years of Independence (M-25) field in the Baysunsky District, where gas has been leaking for nearly two years. China's CNPC has been involved. Drilling is scheduled to begin in January, with the well slated for completion by July.
**Cleanup of the damaged well in Baysun is scheduled for July 2027**
On August 15, work officially began to clean up the gas well at the "25 Years of Independence" (M-25) field in the Baysun district of the Surkhandarya region. The well has been leaking gas since September 2024 following a man-made accident, according to Mumin Ibodov, press secretary of Uzbekneftegaz.
Uzbekneftegaz Chairman of the Board Abdugani Sanginov, Baysun district governor Bakhodir Shukurov, and representatives of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) held a meeting with residents of the village of Kafrun, located near the field.
It was previously reported that CCDC (Chuanqing Drilling Engineering Company Limited), a Chinese company that is part of CNPC, would be involved in the work. Proposals from Russian (Rosneft), American (Schlumberger), and South Korean companies were also considered.
In late February, during a visit to the region, Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev announced that, together with international partners, a scientific solution had been found to shut down the well. "We will stop the accident and launch a project that will give a powerful boost to the economy of Surkhandarya," the head of state emphasized.
According to Uzbekneftegaz, more than 40 units of specialized equipment are planned to be delivered to Baysun by the end of the year, including drilling equipment capable of handling gas with a high hydrogen sulfide content, typical of this field.
Drilling operations are scheduled to begin in January (Abdugani Sanginov previously mentioned plans to drill four additional wells). Full well closure is scheduled for July 2027, according to Mumin Ibodov.
M-25 is the largest undeveloped gas field in Uzbekistan. Construction of a gas processing complex was planned alongside its development.
On September 1, 2024, during drilling operations at well No. 604 at the field, a gas leak occurred due to an accident. Local residents were evacuated. Cleanup efforts lasted two weeks, until September 15. However, on September 17, the leak resumed, killing four people. In March 2025, a gas leak occurred at another well, No. 202.
Former Energy Minister Jurabek Mirzamakhmudov, describing the characteristics and complexity of the field, called the accident an "emergency." An advisor to the head of Eriell attributed the emergency to abnormally high reservoir pressure and the impact of hydrogen sulfide on equipment.