GUWAHATI: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) on Saturday said it had made “significant headway” in the gas leak control operations at an oil well in its Rudrasagar field in Assam’s Sivasagar district.
The gas blowout began on 12 June, affecting over 330 families, who have since been evacuated to a safer location.
ONGC stated that the flow of gas had reduced substantially, marking a critical step forward in the containment efforts.
A three-member team of experts from CUDD Pressure Control, USA, which arrived on Friday evening, conducted a preliminary assessment of the situation and reviewed all actions undertaken by ONGC teams so far.
“The experts have expressed their agreement with the strategy and execution carried out to date, reaffirming the effectiveness of ONGC’s approach to safely manage the well,” ONGC said in a statement.
“Based on the forward plan jointly developed, extensive site preparations are underway to facilitate the next phase of action. The process of removing tubulars from the well has commenced, and mobilisation of cranes for the removal of tubing from the rig floor is currently in progress,” the ONGC added.
It said that water blanketing is continuing round the clock as a key safety measure. Additionally, flood level monitoring of the nearby Dikhow River remains ongoing, ensuring all operations are aligned with environmental and safety protocols.
“ONGC is continuously monitoring the Low Explosive Limit levels of air around the well site through real-time gas detectors to ensure safety. Medical assistance is being provided at the relief camp to support all those in need,” the statement further noted.
Minister of State for External Affairs Pabitra Margherita visited the site on Saturday to take stock of the situation. He told the media that efforts were underway to contain the situation.
“The ONGC engineers and the experts from the USA told me that an oil well needs to be capped very carefully so that there is no spark,” Margherita said.
He further stated that Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri and Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were constantly monitoring the situation. “We are hopeful that the well could be capped soon,” he said.