20.02.2025 13:51
In Kartepe district of Kocaeli, Doç. Dr. Özkan Coruk made a statement regarding the methane gas that has been burning for three days, saying, "As long as there is no intervention underground, it will continue its own cycle. In such incidents, it is necessary to know what to do and intervene in a controlled manner to release the gas."
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During the drilling work for the metro construction in Dumlupınar Neighborhood, methane gas that surfaced at a depth of approximately 47 meters ignited due to a leak. Upon notification, AFAD, fire brigade, health, and police teams were dispatched to the scene. Teams cordoned off the area with tape and iron barriers, taking security measures around the fire.
BURNING FOR 3 DAYS On February 18, the fire was extinguished for sampling purposes. Teams took samples to examine the type of gas and then reignited the gas that surfaced from underground in a controlled manner. The fire has been ongoing for 3 days without interruption, and the teams continue their work in the area.
"THE GAS SURFACE WAS NOT A SURPRISE" Associate Professor Dr. Özkan Coruk from Kocaeli University Faculty of Engineering, made evaluations regarding the issue. Coruk stated, "Methane gas is a gas that we know as swamp gas, which we can chemically define. The place where the drilling was done experienced the event of gas stored underground at a depth of 46-47 meters surfacing. When we evaluate the ground and geological structure of the area, the emergence of gas was not a surprise. We have encountered similar events and the likelihood of encountering them is high. Because the soils in the Izmit plain between Izmit Bay and Sapanca consist of old swamp or sedimentary deposits. These contain gases stored during the swamp process. The swamp environment is rich in plant roots and organic residues. During geological processes, under the influence and pressure of the overlying cover, gas is formed. In other words, the first stage of the formation of industrial energy sources that we evaluate as carbon transformation, coal, and lignite occurs. There is a peaty ground. In the peaty ground, the transformation of organic residues into gas occurs," he said.
"IT WILL MAINTAIN ITS OWN CYCLE" After evaluating the geological structure, Associate Professor Dr. Özkan Coruk stated that it would have been more appropriate to conduct drilling. "I think the friends carried out the drilling without considering this. After the drilling, when that gas surfaced, it started to burn with fire or sparks. Normally, methane gas does not have an explosion risk. If methane gas surfaces and comes into contact with fire, it is flammable and poses a certain level of poisoning risk. It is natural to encounter methane gas in areas where coal and similar raw materials are present. This is a part of nature. If not controlled, it can harm the environment, but it is a fire, which creates some pollution. Carbon derivatives are gases formed by combining with oxygen, and if you come into contact with them to a certain extent, they have a toxic and flammable effect. This is a natural geological process. Methane gas is part of geological formation. Methane gas can be controlled with ventilation shafts. When old landfill sites are opened for settlement or use, we build gas outlet shafts for this type of control. But the gas formed here is a natural environment. As long as there is no intervention underground, it will maintain its own cycle. In such events, it is necessary to know what to do and intervene in a controlled manner to release the gas," he said.
"GAS WILL RUN OUT IN 1-2 DAYS" Associate Professor Dr. Özkan Coruk predicts that the gas will lose its effect after a while. "Methane gas is a gas stored in a limited area that we call 'tünek'. The end of the gas depends on the underground reservoir. It is not possible for this to be a very large reservoir. I can say that both the fire and the gas will end within 1-2 days. It is necessary to burn it in a controlled manner or to have a controlled release of the gas. Knowing its density is important to determine the effect limits. Friends performing this operation around the drilling should not light a fire and should at least establish a measurement system to detect gas release and take steps accordingly. We cannot say that methane gas has an effect on earthquakes. Because earthquakes occur at a depth of at least 10 to 7 kilometers. In drilling, we first determine the distributions and physical properties of the rock samples taken from underground," he stated.
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