Assam CM urges Petroleum minister to step up well control efforts to prevent crisis escalation

Guwahati: Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has requested Union Petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri to step up well control efforts so that the situation doesn't aggravate further.

The gas blowout incident took place on June 12 at the ONGC’s well RDS 147 A at Barichuk Bhatipara in Sivsagar district.

Despite ONGC's well control measures such as water blanketing, high volume mud pumping, and junk shots, the pressure continued to persist and the well remained active. The prolonged nature of the incident is creating considerable distress in the surrounding villages," Sarma told Puri in a letter.

"The State Government is providing all necessary relief to the affected people at this hour but a more proactive approach is needed from ONGC to mitigate this situation and restore normalcy," said Sarma while sharing his letter to the Union Petroleum minister on X handle.

"I have requested him to direct @ONGC_ to step up well control efforts in mission mode so that the situation doesn't aggravate further.," said the Assam Chief minister.

He said that over 330 families had to be evacuated, and the district administration is supporting them with basic relief and safety measures. "While the district administration and the agencies are fully engaged on the ground, I am constrained to convey that the local perception is one of inadequate urgency and seriousness in ONGC's response. Unlike previous incidents handled with a war footing, the current approach appears procedural and lacking in visibility," the chief minister said.

" I urge upon you to kindly direct the ONGC to reinforce its technical and leadership presence onsite , adopt a mission mode approach and step up engagement with the affected communities to restore confidence and bring the situation under control at the earliest," he said.

ONGC on Wednesday stated that it is continuing its focused operations to control the gas flow from well RDS#147A. ONGC’s in-house well control experts are working round the clock and are in constant consultation with an international well control agency. The process to mobilise their team to the site of the incident has already been initiated to further strengthen efforts on the ground.

ONGC has successfully connected the well to a nearby production facility, thereby diverting a portion of the gas in a controlled manner. As an additional safety measure, water blanketing of the well is being continuously maintained.

As per ongoing air quality monitoring by the Pollution Control Board, Assam, the Air Quality parameters are within the permissible limit as per the National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQ) standards by Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), 2009.

The company stated, “A thorough analysis of the released gas has been carried out through sample collection, confirming that the gas is non-toxic in nature. Being lighter than air, the gas is dispersing upwards into higher altitudes, minimising risk to nearby habitations. The noise levels are being continuously monitored and are within acceptable limits beyond 500 metres. Safety of the community and the environment remains ONGC’s foremost priority, and all actions are being taken in accordance with regulatory guidelines and industry best practices".