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Key Points

ONGC reports progress in controlling the Assam gas leak, with pressure reduction easing capping efforts. Residents beyond 500m can now return home safely. Air quality monitoring shows no hydrocarbon traces beyond 30m. The company continues relief efforts, including medical aid for affected communities.

Key Points: ONGC Prepares to Cap Assam Gas Leak as Residents Return Home

  • ONGC collaborates with Cudd Pressure Control for well capping
  • Heavy equipment mobilized for critical operations
  • Air quality safe beyond 30m from leak site
  • Relief camps continue medical support
2 min read

ONGC clears way for capping well in Assam, residents to return as gas leak curbed

ONGC advances well capping at Assam’s Rudrasagar oil field after gas leak, allowing residents beyond 500m to safely return.

"A further decline in gas pressure has been achieved, facilitating safer well capping. – ONGC statement"

New Delhi, June 22

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) said on Sunday that it has paved the way for capping of its well following the gas blowout that took place on June 12 at the Rudrasagar oil field in Assam's Sivasagar district.

A further decline in gas pressure has been achieved, which is expected to facilitate a safer and more controlled capping of the well. As a continuous safety measure, water blanketing of the well is being maintained around the clock, according to a company statement.

The ONGC said that in collaboration with international well control experts from Cudd Pressure Control, it has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing operations at Well RDS#147A.

Approximately 10 trailer loads of rig material have been successfully removed by ONGC’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) and the expert crew, clearing the majority of the rig equipment from the site and paving the way for the upcoming well capping operation. The necessary heavy equipment required for the capping process is currently being mobilised to the site.

In parallel, the team has conducted a detailed inspection of the elevated section of the rig mast to plan the safe removal of the tubing stacked in the derrick. A specialised extra-long boom crane is being mobilised for this critical operation, with deployment scheduled at the earliest possible time.

Air quality monitoring continues uninterrupted in and around the site. Encouragingly, there is no detectable trace of hydrocarbons beyond 30 metres from the well. Based on current assessments, residents living beyond a 500-metre radius from the incident site have now been advised that it is safe to return to their homes and resume normal activities, including cooking and the use of electricity.

Additionally, the ONGC said it continues to actively support the district administration at the relief camps. The corporation is providing 24/7 medical assistance to all those in need, reaffirming its commitment to the well-being of the affected communities.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
Good to see ONGC taking responsibility and working with international experts. Assam's ecology is precious - hope they conduct thorough environmental impact studies after capping. The 24/7 medical assistance shows they care about locals 🙏
R
Rahul S.
Why did it take 10 days to control this? ONGC should have better emergency protocols for such situations. Northeast already faces enough challenges without industrial accidents. Hope compensation reaches affected families quickly.
A
Arjun M.
As someone from Assam, I appreciate the transparency in updates. The air quality monitoring data is reassuring. But ONGC must invest more in preventive maintenance - we can't afford such incidents in our fragile ecosystem.
S
Sunita P.
The relief efforts seem commendable 👏 But I worry about long-term health effects on locals. ONGC should commit to regular health checkups for affected residents for at least 5 years. Safety can't be compromised for energy needs!
V
Vikram J.
This shows why we need to diversify our energy sources. Solar/wind may have higher initial costs but don't carry such risks. Hope this incident accelerates India's renewable energy transition.
M
Meena R.
The international collaboration is good, but ONGC engineers are capable too. We should develop our own disaster response protocols instead of always relying on foreign experts. Atmanirbhar Bharat should apply to crisis management as well!

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