2022 Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline explosion

On 20 December 2022, an explosion occurred on the Russian Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod gas pipeline, which supplies gas from Siberia to Europe through Ukraine.[1][2]

2022 Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod pipeline explosion
Date20 December 2022 (2022-12-20)
Timec. 13:40 UTC+03:00
Locationbetween Kalinino and Yambakhtino, Chuvashia, Russia
Coordinates55°36′52″N 46°49′11″E
CauseGas leak during repair work
Deaths3
Non-fatal injuries1

The explosion occurred in Chuvashia, in the area of the gas pipeline between the villages of Kalinino and Yambakhtino, Vurnarsky District.

Background

The Urengoy–Pomary–Uzhhorod export gas pipeline was built in the early 1980s. This pipeline transports Russian gas from Western Siberia to European countries. Near the Sudzha pumping station in Kursk Oblast, the gas pipeline crosses the border of the Russian Federation and Ukraine. Branches of the gas pipeline also go to the TurkStream and Central Asia.[3]

The Sudzha gas pumping station, through which gas from this pipeline flows, now remains the only point on the Russian–Ukrainian border through which gas is still transiting. Gazprom supplies Russian gas for transit through the territory of Ukraine in the amount confirmed by the Ukrainian side through the Sudzha GIS – 43 million cubic meters on 20 December.[4]

It was reported that before the explosion and ignition of the fire, "work was being carried out by the operating organization".[4]

Explosion

The gas explosion and subsequent fire occurred during scheduled repairs near the village of Yambakhtino, Vurnarsky District. The incident was reported at 13:44 local time.[5] At 14:20, gas flaring at the emergency site was eliminated.[6]

Victims

The Ministry of Emergency Situations reported that as a result of an emergency on the gas pipeline, three gas service workers died, and one driver was injured.[7][8]

Aftermath

According to TASS, after reports of an explosion on a gas pipeline in Chuvashia, the price of gas in Europe rose to $1,200 per thousand cubic meters.[7]

The local division of Gazprom stated after the explosion that the damaged section of the gas pipeline was promptly contained and that the gas is supplied to consumers in full through parallel pipelines.[9]

References
  1. "Explosion Reported at Russian Pipeline Bringing Gas to Europe". BNN Bloomberg. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  2. "Explosion rips through gas pipeline in Russia". AP NEWS. 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  3. "На газопроводе в Чувашии произошел взрыв. Погибли три человека". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  4. "В Чувашии произошел взрыв на газопроводе, который уходит на Украину". РБК (in Russian). 20 December 2022. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  5. Горбунова, Марина (2022-12-20). "Мощный взрыв произошел на газопроводе Уренгой — Помары — Ужгород в Чувашии". Ямал-Медиа. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  6. "В результате взрыва на газопроводе в Чувашии погибли трое человек – Коммерсантъ Казань". www.kommersant.ru. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  7. "В Чувашии произошел взрыв на газопроводе, по которому идет топливо в Европу. Погибли три человека". НГС - новости Новосибирска (in Russian). 2022-12-20. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  8. "На газопроводе в Чувашии произошел взрыв. Погибли три человека". Meduza (in Russian). Retrieved 2022-12-20.
  9. Soldatkin, Vladimir; Kobzeva, Oksana (2022-12-20). "Gazprom: gas supplied in full, bypassing damaged Russian export pipeline". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-12-20.
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