Assam: Operations in Baghjan oil well blast site halted due to flood

Oil India Limited called off all the operations at the Baghjan oil well blowout site in Tinsukia, Assam for the day on June 27^th, 2020 as the floodwaters have submerged a large part in the region.

After Heavy Rainfall at Baghjan for the last few days, the area has been severely hit by flood and the site has been fully inundated with floodwater. All River levels are rising constantly. Dangori River is overflowing. All connecting roads to the site have been submerged with floodwater. The approach road to the Debris Area via Plastic Park Road has been closed by District Administration for all vehicular traffic from the bridge over Maguri Beel as the road from the bridge to well site it is severely damaged by floodwater. At many places, water is flowing over the road with a knee to waist-deep water. The stretches of water overflow are about 150 to 200 metres each. Flood water has entered the Debris area and has inundated large area.

“The Kill Pump area is completely flooded. OIL CMT Water Pump area is submerged with flood water. Working condition at site has been considered Unsafe for the day and all operations at site have been called off for the day today,” a press release by OIL stated. However, the PWD and OIL engineers are jointly inspecting the roads.

The OIL has made some Environmental Impact Assessment. It stated that the Considering the flood situation all around the site, the exercise for TERI Study on Air quality and Noise level study will be kept on hold for 2-3 days till near normalcy returns. However, recording of data at already installed meters will continue. The bioremediation job has also been put on hold till the water level recedes in the earmarked sites.

Also read: Assam Pollution Control board serves closure notice to OIL over illegal drilling at Baghjan

Preparation for Capping the Well:

• Operation called off for the day at site: Operation at site has been called off for the day due to severe flood condition. However, fire service personnel are stationed at strategic locations for handling any emergency situation. Operations at OIL workshops continue.
• Mobilization of Equipment from Outside: Following equipment/materials reached yesterday/today.

• Packing Element for Casing Hanger from Singapore on 26-06-2020
• Athey wagon Tractor and Boom from ONGC-Kakinada on 26-06-220
• Frac Pump Unit with Blender from ONGC- Kakinada on 27-06-2020

• Fabrication of BOP Raiser: Fabrication of one number BOP Raiser for use by Alert team is completed and is ready for shift to site once flood situation is normal.
• Servicing of Equipment at OIL’s CMT Yard: Servicing of Athey Wagon that reached Duliajan on 26-06-2020 is in progress. Servicing of High Water Discharge Pump is also in progress by ONGC & OIL’s CMT Team.
• Testing of Auxiliary Equipment: Servicing and testing of 2 nos. of air compressors is completed and is ready for shifting to site once the road condition improves.
• Transfer of additional Water Pump: Transfer of Pump set for Pump Station #02 is in hold due to prevailing road conditions.
• Fabrication of Heat Shields: Fabrication of heat Shield for Excavator is in progress. Four more heat shields are under fabrication too.

Meanwhile, OIL stated the surveys for Assessment of damage for compensation by the committee constituted by the District Administration have been affected due to Heavy Rainfall and Flood. Assessment for 540 families completed in Doomdooma and Tinsukia Circle, Assam.

The OIL further said that there was production loss of 88 MT of Crude Oil and 0.13 MMSCM of Natural Gas as reported on 26-06-2020. Operations were disrupted in 13 Oil wells and 1 gas wells. Cumulative production loss since 27th May, 2020 due to bandhs and blockades: 8658 MT Crude oil, 11.12 MMSCM of natural gas.

The incident

After the initial blowout on May 27th, 2020, the BGR 5 oil well of Baghjan area, Assam was engulfed in a massive fire after a blast on June 9th, 2020 resulting in the death of endangered species in and around the national park including the rare dolphins. A dense cloud of smoke was seen erupting out of Oil India BGR 5 well was seen.

On the next day of the blast, a team of experts arrived from Singapore to Assam, who reached the site on Monday and were supposed to work on it. Many families of nearby villages have been affected badly. Locals fled due to the ensuing situation and so far have been kept in 12 relief centres.

The blowout happened while workover operations were going on to produce gas from new sand (oil & gas-bearing reservoir) at a depth of 3,729 metres. Earlier, the well was producing around 1 lakh Standard Cubic Metre per day (SCMD) of gas from a depth of 3,870 metres,” an Oil India statement said.

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