Assam: Distressing satellite image reveals Baghjan Degradation

Satellite images reveal distressing accounts of the Baghjan episode in Assam. After the initial blowout on 27th May of the BGR 5 oil well of Baghjan area in Tinsukia, Assam, another fire engulfed on 9th June. Locals fled due to the ensuing situation and so far have been kept in relief centres. Many farmers have revealed that their crops have been damaged as condensate gas falls in villages and in Maguri Beel near the site of the oil well fire. During the 2nd wave of floods, the Baghjan area and the Dangori River level rose constantly. Earlier, the OIL operations to control the blaze is severely affected due to water and soft soil condition. The current measures taken by OIL are listed below.

Also read: Assam flood situation turns grim, relief camp women sing of their struggles

Current situation: Baghjan

• Environmental Impact Assessment by M/s ERM: Environmental Impact Assessment by M/s ERM is in progress.  The study will be continued till one week beyond the date of capping the well successfully.
• TERI Study on Air Quality & Noise Level: Samples for monitoring air quality and noise level are being collected for analysis. Recording of data at already installed analysers is in progress.
• TERI study on Bioremediation of Sludge:  Site preparation for bio remediation job is in progress depending on site condition. Debris clearance along the roadside from the blow out well towards Maguri Beel is in progress.
• CSIR-NEIST Seismological Study: Recording is in progress in the vicinity of Baghjan-5 well. Currently, 5 sets of sensors including an accelerometer are recording data.

• Debris Removal: The debris removal activity with continuous spraying /jacketing of water in the well plinth/debris is underway since morning toady. 4 loads of debris amongst others, following major items were removed from the well plinth yesterday :
• 2 nos. of Mud Tanks
• 1 no. of Trip Tank
• 1 no. of Well Servicing Pump
• Readiness of Equipment at Site: Refilling of water reservoir to maintain the desired water level is being carried out by pumping water from Dangori River. Through preventive maintenance, standby equipment & accessories are made ready at site for water filling at water reservoirs and spraying/water jacketing and associated works. Depending on requirement, fabrication & repairing jobs are being carried out at the temporary workshop created near the site.
• Shifting of Debris from Lay Down Area: To create space for laying debris from the blowout well plinth,   4 loads of debris from the laydown area have been transferred to the designated location atDuliajan.
• Civil work at Site: Development of the new area for placing Kill Pumps   near debris laydown area is in progress as the earlier site got submerged under water. Civil work at site is also being carried out on routine basis as per respective requirement.
• Transferring equipment/material to the site:  The Second Excavator attached with hydraulically operated Rock Breaker Unit has been transferred to the site today. Other equipment and materials are being transferred in a phased manner depending on requirement and site condition.
• Servicing of Equipment at OIL’s CMT Yard: Fabrication work of heat shield for 2nd Bull Dozer is completed. Servicing of standby engine/ pumps etc.  are also  in progress.

• Surveys for Assessment of damage for compensation by the committee constituted by District Administration are in progress. Assessments for 32 more families were conducted yesterday in Doomdooma Circle making total number of families surveyed till date in Doomdooma and Tinsukia Circle 752 families. Areas being submerged under water due to flood, damage assessment in Tinsukia circle could not be carried out yesterday too.

• Due to stoppage/blockades, there was production loss of 47 MT of Crude Oil and 0.02 MMSCM of Natural Gas as reported on 01-07-2020. Operations were disrupted in 04 Oil wells. Cumulative production loss since 27^th May, 2020 due to bandhs and blockades: 9019 MT Crude oil, 11.57 MMSCM of natural gas.

• Flood Effect on Road Connectivity to Site: Currently, there is only one road available (Plastic Park–MaguriBeel side) for movement of heavy vehicles to the well site.  The repairing work of the alternate road (Talap–Kordoiguri–Bandarkhati-Bhaghjan EPS) for entry into Baghjan EPS and the connectivity to the well is resumed after blockade was lifted yesterday evening. The overall progress of the repairing work is 95%.

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