OIL contacts global experts to control gas blowout in Assam well

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SME Times News Bureau | 02 Jun, 2020
The state-owned Oil India Ltd (OIL) has contacted global experts to control the blowout in the gas well in eastern Assam's Tinsukia district, an official release said on Monday.

At least 650 families, comprising 2,500 people, have been shifted to three relief camps after an oil well, owned by OIL at Baghjan village in Tinsukia, around 450 km east of Guwahati, started releasing natural gas into the air after a leak for the past six days.

"Oilfield of OIL had suddenly become very active while work-over operation was on. There is no incident of any fire, casualty, damage and injury," the release clarified.

It said that after the OIL contacted global experts to control the blowout, offers with action plan and timeline were received from three global organisations -- Boots and Coots, Alert and Wild Well Control. "Well control operations are being examined," the release said.

It said that the safety of surrounding villagers and their properties, working team and protection of the environment is paramount while carrying out the well control operation.

Placement of water pumps in the nearby river and pipeline laying jobs are in progress for additional high quantities of water. "Additional plot of land adjacent to the well site has been arranged to create a big reservoir of water and to place the well control equipment. Excavation of the pond will be started from Monday."

OIL Chairman-cum-Managing Director Sushil Chandra Mishra, along with Director (Exploration and Development) P. Chandrasekaran and other senior officials visited the well site and relief camps on Sunday. They also held discussions with the district administration.

Expressing his grief at the hardships that the local population is facing due to this unprecedented situation, Mishra told the media that OIL is taking all possible measures to ensure the health and safety of the local people in the vicinity of the blowout well.

On the impact on the local flora-fauna and the environment, the CMD said that the Forest Department, district administration and OIL are taking stock of the issues in all earnest.

"OIL is awaiting the observations and findings of the district administration, the Forest Department, the Pollution Control Board so that all necessary steps can be taken," Mishra said.

He said that OIL has already given a show cause to M/s John Energy Pvt Ltd and action would also be initiated against employees of OIL if there is any prima facie evidence of human error for which a five member inquiry committee has been formed.