GNSS-based subsidence monitoring of the Shurtan gas reservoir in Uzbekistan

This study investigates the impact of gas extraction on soil subsidence at the Shurtan Mining Complex in southern Uzbekistan, utilizing GNSS data. The complex, situated in the Beshkent trough within the Amu Darya Basin, represents a significant hub for hydrocarbon reserves, including gas, and gas condensate. Results indicate a correlation between gas extraction intensity and soil subsidence, with significant settlement observed at specific points most affected by extraction activities. Notably, annual height changes range from-0.5 mm/year to-3.4 mm/year, demonstrating the pronounced impact of gas extraction on subsidence. Tectonic processes, particularly pronounced at the transition boundary from the Tien Shan orogeny to the plain territory (Turan Plate), exert even greater influence on the nature of subsidence. Interpolation techniques, specifically Spline interpolation, are employed to visualize the spatial distribution and dynamics of terrain deformation. Key conclusions emphasize the correlation between gas extraction intensity and soil subsidence, alongside the influence of tectonic processes on height changes. Given the strategic importance of the Shurtan Mining Complex for Uzbekistan's economy, these findings hold significant implications for sustainable resource management and future research endeavors. This GNSS-based investigation offers valuable insights for advancing the understanding ofgeodynamic processes and informing resource management strategies in similar geological contexts.