The “gate to Hell”, that is, the Derveze gas crater, which has been burning for nearly 50 years in Turkmenistan, will be closed. It has been reported that Derveze gas crater will be closed because it causes natural gas loss and environmental pollution.
The closure of the Derveze gas crater was brought to the agenda at the international investment forum titled “Turkmenistan’s oil and natural gas” held in the capital city of Ashgabat.
TURKMEN SCIENTISTS EXPLORE
Director of Turkmenistan Natural Gas Research Institute, Bayrammyrat Pirniyazov, in his speech at the forum, stated that the geological structure was examined by Turkmen scientists.
Pirniyazov said that the Derveze gas crater has been burning for nearly 50 years.
Stating that a large amount of natural gas is burned in the Derveze region, it also harms the environment and therefore it will be closed, Pirniyazov said, “Turkmen scientists suggested opening an inclined well into the pit. It is foreseen to extract the gas from this well, to reduce uncontrolled gas emissions to the atmosphere and to control the leakage flows.” said.
THERE ARE OFFERS FROM ABROAD TO CLOSE THE CRATER
It was stated at the forum that offers from abroad for the closure of the Derveze gas crater were also evaluated. Accordingly, scientists from Belarus and Slovenia conveyed that they wanted to participate in the implementation of the project on the Turkmen side.
Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, stated that they are ready to cooperate with Turkmenistan in reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere and to help stop the natural gas leak in the crater in the Derveze region.
WHAT IS DERVEZE GAZ CRATER (GATE TO HELL)?
Derveze gas crater, also known as the “gate to Hell” in Turkmenistan, is located in the Ahal province, 270 kilometers from the capital Ashgabat, and in the center of the Karakum Desert.
Derveze gas crater was formed during excavations during the Soviet Union era in the 1970s.
The gas that came out of the crater, which was formed as a result of soil collapse, was burned because it harmed the environment and living space.
The crater, which is 60 meters wide and 20 meters deep, has been burning for about 50 years due to the natural gas coming out of it.
There are 2 more craters, one of which is filled with water, 5-7 kilometers away from the Derveze gas crater. (AA)