Russia's Gazprom Shut Dozens of Gas Wells in Orenburg Region Before Floods

A 3D printed natural gas pipeline is placed in front of displayed Gazprom logo and Russian flag in this illustration taken February 8, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Purchase Licensing Rights

A local unit of Russian energy giant Gazprom (GAZP.MM), opens new tab had to shut down more than two dozen natural gas producing wells in the Orenburg region to safeguard them from flooding, according to an in-house newspaper published last week.

The newspaper of Gazprom dobycha Orenburg said that some wells are located in the floodplain of the Ural river.

The Orenburg oil and gas condensate field produces 10 billion cubic metres of gas and 300,000 tons of oil and gas condensate per year, according to the company.

Russia's Urals region and northern Kazakhstan often suffer flooding at this time of year but are seeing the worst in memory this year and authorities in Kurgan said the level of the Tobol river had already exceeded the highest level since 1994.

Orsk oil refinery located in the region had temporary halted production in early April because of floods before it resumed output last Friday.