RAJAHMUNDRY: The Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) has accused the oil majors in the Krishna-Godavari Basin of being responsible for the explosion of the gas pipeline at Nagaram village in Mamidikuduru mandal of East Godavari district.
GAIL reportedly found sulphur, carbon dioxide and water in the trunk pipeline at Nagaram. The GAIL officials alleged that the presence of these three components in the pipeline indicates that the petroleum products supplied by the oil companies were not properly refined and have resulted in corrosion of the pipelines used by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) and Cairn Energy.
Speaking to reporters here Sunday, GAIL director (Projects) Dr Ashutosh Karnatak said a team from Engineers India Limited (EIL) will inquire into the entire episode and technical problems from GAIL’s side. GAIL decided to audit the entire 10,000-km gas pipelines across the country. The pipelines would be laid in a depth of 1.5 m from the land surface. Many companies, including GAIL, across the world were using API-54 code (American Petroleum Institution) to lay and manufacture the pipelines.
He said intelligent pigging of pipelines across the country would be taken up immediately. Pigging was last done sometime between 2011 and 2013. The officials are also investigating into a gas cloud formation which was witnessed in Nagaram village when the mishap occurred.
On pressure in the pipelines, he said that though the gas pipelines carry 72 kg per square inch of gas, GAIL was sending only 35 to 40 kg.
The fire broke out around 5.45 am and GAIL closed the valves at 6.20 am. The fire was controlled at 7 am, he said and disclosed that GAIL was maintaining a log book to note the details of maintenance of gas pipelines.
The GAIL authorities promised to commence the construction of pucca houses for the victims of fire mishap within a week.
Karnatak said GAIL authorities handed over the ex gratia amount to the district collector Sunday.