OIL contacts global experts to control blowout in Assam’s Baghjan
On May 27th, the gas producing well of Baghjan-5 under Baghjan Oilfield of OIL had suddenly become very active while work-over operation was on. However, there is no incident of any fire, casualty or injury
GUWAHATI: Oil India Limited (OIL) has contacted global expert to control the blowout in the gas well at Baghjan in upper Assam, from which offers with action plan and timeline were received. Offers from Boots and Coots, Alert and Wild Well Control in well control operation are being examined and are currently under consideration. OIL has stated 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.”
CMD of OIL Sushil Chandra Mishra, along with top management, visited the site. He informed that OIL has already shown cause to M/s John Energy Pvt Limited, and actions will be initiated on employees of OIL if there is any prima facie evidence of human error, the same for which a five member inquiry committee has been formed.The CMD reaffirmed the fact that OIL is not carrying out any operations within the Eco Sensitive Zone (ESZ). All operations of OIL are being carried out outside the ESZ (as published vide gazette notification dated 28 January, 2020 by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).On May 27th, the gas producing well of Baghjan-5 under Baghjan Oilfield of OIL had suddenly become very active while work-over operation was on. However, there is no incident of any fire, casualty or injury.OIL stated that the crisis management team (CMT) members approached the wellhead taking all precautionary measures and opened the casing valve and started pumping water through it.
OIL further said that the placement of water pumps in the nearby river, which is the source of the water, and pipeline-laying jobs are in progress for additional high quantity 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 today. OIL fire service and with mutual aids are stationed 24×7 at site since 27-05-2020 for continuously water jacketing the well to avert any eventuality. Gas and air quality are being monitored at constant interval”.OIL in a statement said that around 650 families have been evacuated from the nearby affected areas and are camped in three relief camps set. CMD OIL along with Dr. P. Chandrasekaran, Director (Exploration & Development), P. K. Goswami Director (Operations), D. K. Das Resident Chief Executive, Prasanta Barkakaty, ED(HR&A), and other senior officials of OIL had a detailed meeting with Bhaskar Pegu, Deputy commissioner (DC), Tinsukia district and Shiladitya Chetia Superintendent of police Tinsukia on the issue and various measures taken to provide necessary support to the evacuated local population in the vicinity of the blow out well.CMD elaborated the action taken by Oil India Ltd to control the blowout at the earliest. He also informed that OIL is very grateful to the state government and district administration and the Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Government of India for all their support in this moment of crisis.He expressed his grief on the hardships that the local population is facing due to this unprecedented situation. He assured that OIL is taking all possible measures to ensure the health and safety of the local people impacted in the vicinity of the blowout well.Replying to the queries on the environment and the impact on the local flora & fauna, CMD informed that the Forest Department, District Administration and OIL are taking stock of the issues in all earnest.CMD had detailed discussions with the experts of OIL and ONGC at the site. CMD had a detailed interaction with the local people who expressed their agony and hardships. CMD assured that OIL will take all possible care to provide them necessary compensation.He also assured that OIL is equally concerned about the reported impact on the bio diversity of the area for which OIL is awaiting the observations and findings of District Administration, Forest department, Pollution Control Board so that all necessary steps can be taken.