The Reason Why the Soviets Dropped a Nuclear Bomb into the Well

Especially during the Soviet Union period, nuclear weapons were generally produced for strategic and military purposes. between states around the world The Cold Warhad expanded the use of nuclear weapons.

We all know the places and events where nuclear weapons were used and the devastating consequences they caused, but How about using it to extinguish fire?

The fire that broke out in Uzbekistan’s natural gas well ignited the events.

In December 1963, a gas well was being opened in “Urta Bulak”, 80 km away from Bukhara, Uzbekistan. Control of the well at a depth of 2450 meters was lost. More than 12 million cubic meters of gas had been lost. This amount was enough to meet the gas needs of a whole city.

For three years after this incident; Different methods were used to close the well, reduce the leak and extinguish the flames. Soviets, to expose the fire area to artillery fire He even tried.

In 1966, a more fantastic idea came to their mind.

One autumn day, they decided to plug the well using nuclear explosives. They were going to dig another well near the well and plant a nuclear bomb. According to their calculations, of the explosion Any hole within 25-50 yards would be stuck.

Location of the explosive in the selected well, cooled to a temperature that the explosive can withstand and a specially designed nuclear weapon was placed inside the hole.

When the calendar showed September 30, 1966, the big explosion would occur.

If everything went as planned by the Soviets, this three-year struggle would now come to an end. They detonated the nuclear weapon they placed in the hole and full After 23 seconds the flame went out, The well was also sealed. They actually solved the problem this way!

By watching the video above You can view images of the explosion.

When the method proved successful, it was used in other cases as well.

A few months after this incident, control of another nearby high-pressure well was also lost and a special explosive developed by the nuclear weapons laboratory was used. When the method is successful for the second time, A method that can be used in similar cases became.

In April 1972, a new nuclear bomb was detonated to cover a gas well 30 km away from Mary, Turkmenistan. Again the same year, this time in Ukraine, an illegal gas well More exploded.

The last attempt to use this application was in the gas field in Siberia in 1981. due to incorrect location of the well The desired result was not achieved. The method became obsolete in the late 80s and early 90s, when mandates on nuclear testing came into force.

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