New York Times profiles progress reported by Capterio at the Darvaza Crater

The Darvaza Crater is a scientific and tourist curiosity in Turkmenistan. A drilling accident in either 1963 or 1971 (the precise date appears uncertain) led to a “blowout” and a large crater that has been burning gas more or less* ever since. Our original paper “A new perspective on old flames” tracked a considerable reduction in flaring, which has continued today. However, somewhat curiously, methane emissions appear to remain broadly flat. The precise link between the flaring reduction and drilling interventions, however remains unclear.

* by more or less, interestingly, researchers at SRON identify from Landsat data that combustion began between late 1987 and early 1988 – suggesting that the crater was venting uncombusted methane until that point.

Great to be featured in the New York Times, in an article authored by Jenny Gross.

To find out more about how Capterio helps companies and countries to reduce gas flaring, improve energy security and lower emissions, please contact ceo@capterio.com.