ONGC Gas Leak Day 7: US Experts to Arrive in Sibsagar Tomorrow

The team has been mobilised to help contain the uncontrolled blowout that began on June 12.

A specialised team of well-controlled experts from the United States is set to arrive tomorrow at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGCs) Rudrasagar Rig in Assam’s Sivasagar district, as the gas continues to leak for the seventh straight day today.

The team has been mobilised to help contain the uncontrolled blowout that began on June 12.

The arrival of the US team is expected to significantly bolster efforts to plug the leak.

“An international team of well control experts has been mobilised from the United States of America and is expected to reach the site by the evening of June 20, to augment the response with specialised expertise,” said ONGC in a statement.

Meanwhile, concerted efforts are being made to control the gas discharge in the area, the state-run oil major stated.

“Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) continues to make concerted efforts to control the gas discharge from Well RDS 147A in Assam. Multiple junk shot operations using different combinations of materials and pressure ranges have been undertaken,” ONGC stated in the statement.

While awaiting foreign experts, ONGC has intensified safety protocols, including water blanketing operations to prevent fire hazards and continuous air quality monitoring.

ONGC has initiated the development of an alternate route to facilitate movement of safe and efficient movement in and out of the well site. Further, bunk houses and non-essential equipment are also being removed from the vicinity.

“Water blanketing operations are being maintained round-the-clock as a key safety measure. Preparations for the next phase of well control, including dynamic well killing strategies, are progressing steadily. Ambient air quality monitoring in and around the well site is being conducted continuously. All parameters, including Particulate Matter (PM) levels and gas concentration, remain well within permissible limits,” ONGC said.

The district administration also closely monitoring the situation.

The blowout, which began on June 12, has led to uncontrolled gas leakage, forcing the evacuation of nearly 350 families, who remain in relief camps as authorities struggle to contain the emergency.

ONGC said that it is continuously supporting the affected families with the help of the district administration.

It also said that it remains fully committed to ensuring the safety of the local community and the environment, and is working in close coordination with national and international experts to resolve the situation at the earliest.

While the ONGC says that, several questions remain unanswered. Did the ONGC fail to gauge the seriousness of the situation at the outset? Was ONGC’s approach lackadaisical in the initial days of the gas leak as alleged by locals?

The gravity of the situation can be gauged from the fact that Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma was forced to write to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri to direct the ONGC to step up efforts and control the leakage of the gas that has continued for the past week.

Significantly, CM Sarma said that the local perception is one of inadequate urgency and seriousness in ONGC’s response.

As the crisis enters its second week, all eyes are on the US team’s arrival, with hopes that their expertise will bring the blowout under control and allow displaced residents to return home safely.

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