Assam: OIL starts digging tunnel to analyse damage caused by Baghjan fire
The Oil India Limited (OIL) has started digging an underground tunnel near the Baghjan blowout oil well to analyse the damage caused by the fire.
It is expected that the digging process, started by the OIL workers, will be over within a few days.
OIL sources said the capping of the Baghjan oil well will be done within a few days.
All major debris has been cleared from the well plinth at Baghjan.
A detailed inspection of the oil well was undertaken on Wednesday jointly by Alert Disaster Control, ONGC and OIL technical teams to decide the next course of action.
However, debris clearance in high land areas is being carried out for site preparation prior to bio-remediation job.
Application of bio-materials will be started once the water level recedes and the site preparation is completed in the affected areas.
Due to the second wave of floods, the ongoing work at the site has been affected.
The main rivers were flowing over the danger level in upper Assam.
“As a part of the study, ERM team has conducted ecological survey in Baghjangaon, Notungaon, Guijan, Dighaltarang area on Tuesday. The study will be continued till one week beyond the date of capping the well successfully,” an OIL statement stated.
Survey job for assessment of damage for compensation in both Tinsukia and Doomdooma circles is in progress on Wednesday.
“Eight more families were surveyed on Tuesday taking the total families surveyed in the Doomdooma Circle to 577,” an OIL official said.
The official said 90 more families were surveyed till Tuesday in Tinsukia Circle taking the total families surveyed in Tinsukia Circle to 914.
“The total number of families surveyed till Tuesday in both Tinsukia and Doomddoma Circles is 1,491,” the official added.
However, due to the blockade at Baghjan EPS, 4 gas wells and 8 oil wells under Baghjan EPS had to be shut since July 7.
“As a result, approximately 1.5-1.6 MMSCMD gas has gone out from the grid which ultimately led to curtailment of gas supply to all consumers. Additionally, there is a daily oil production loss to the tune of around 500 KL from these wells. The cumulative loss is 3457 MT of Crude Oil and 11.41 MMSCM of Natural Gas in last 8 days,” an OIL statement said.
Blockade at two drilling locations and three workover locations still continues in and around Baghjan area.
