UN confirms eight major methane leaks fixed in Kazakhstan
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The UN Environment Programme confirmed that eight major methane leaks at Kazakhstan oil and gas facilities have been fixed. Five were in the Middle Caspian basin, with the rest at the Uzen, Kalamkas and Kamenistoye fields. The first case dates to October 2024 and the latest to March 2026.
Key Facts
- The UN Environment Programme confirmed that eight major methane leaks at Kazakhstan oil and gas facilities have been fixed.
- Five of the fixed leaks were in the Middle Caspian basin, with the rest at the Uzen, Kalamkas and Kamenistoye fields.
- The first confirmed fix dates to October 2024 and the latest to March 2026.
- MARS sent Kazakhstan 38 alerts about major methane leaks over the past year, The Guardian reported on 31 August.
- One Kazakh facility, a compressor station on a main gas pipeline, remains on the UN list of the world's 50 largest methane emitters, with estimated emissions of about 29,900 tonnes per year.
Confirmed Fixes
The UN Environment Programme confirmed that eight major methane leaks at Kazakhstan oil and gas facilities have been fixed, according to the August MARS summary. Five of the fixed leaks were in the Middle Caspian basin, with the rest at the Uzen, Kalamkas and Kamenistoye fields. The first confirmed fix dates to October 2024 and the latest to March 2026. The leaks were caused by damaged and corroded pipeline sections, faulty valves, and breakdowns in metering and gas-gathering equipment. Damaged parts were replaced or repaired, and at Kamenistoye the gas flow was redirected to another pipeline.
MARS Monitoring
The Methane Alert and Response System (MARS) identified the sources using data from more than 30 satellites, expert analysis and AI models. To confirm a fix, specialists review information about work carried out at the site and then check subsequent satellite imagery. MARS sent Kazakhstan 38 alerts about major methane leaks over the past year, The Guardian reported on 31 August. One Kazakh facility, a compressor station on a main gas pipeline, remains on the UN list of the world's 50 largest methane emitters, with estimated emissions of about 29,900 tonnes per year. The report noted that no response had been received for that facility.
Regional Comparison
In Turkmenistan, MARS confirmed fixes at eight facilities. Over the past year, the system sent Turkmenistan 192 alerts, with responses received for about 20% of them. Nine Turkmen facilities remain on the list of the world's 50 largest methane emitters. Dan Grossman, vice president of the Environmental Defense Fund, said Kazakhstan and Turkmenistan host some of the world's largest methane hotspots and that their response to satellite alerts is an important positive signal for global pollution-reduction efforts.
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