New Delhi: State-run OIL (Oil India Limited) has begun the final preparations on Saturday for beginning the well capping operation at the Baghjan well blowout site and is hoping to cap the well by July 28, an official spokesperson told PSU Watch. "Activities at site has commenced since today morning. Modifications of the smoke stack have been completed and placed on the wellhead today," OIL said in an official statement. The spokesperson added that the oil PSU will attempt to start the well capping operation on July 26, if the weather permits, and is expecting to cap the well by July 28.
After inspection of the wellhead and the technical discussion, OIL has planned to bring some changes in the composition of Well Killing fluid and arrangement for the same has been carried out on war footing. "All six numbers of High Discharge CMT Water Pumps are operational at site for spraying water to the well head during the operation. Total 8 water pumps are available for filling both the water reservoirs periodically," the statement said.
On July 21, PSU Watch had reported that there have been multiple extensions in the deadline for capping the well. The first deadline for capping the well was July 7. Then, it was extended to July 15, however, the progress of the capping operation was impeded by heavy rainfall and floods in the area. Then the date was further extended to July 18. And later, OIL said that it is hoping to cap the well on July 23. The well, owned by OIL, has been leaking gas uncontrollably since May 27 and the fire which erupted in June is still blazing, even though it has been confined to the mouth of the well.
An explosion was reported at the site of the well blowout in Baghjan on July 22 in which three foreign experts had sustained minor burn injuries. On July 23, OIL said that all the three experts were released from the hospital after treatment and are recovering under the supervision of OIL doctors.
Due to stoppage/blockades, there was production loss of 317 MT of crude oil and 1.14 MMSCM of natural gas on July 24, said OIL. "Operations were disrupted at 11 oil wells and five gas wells. The cumulative production loss since May 27 due to bandhs and blockades: stands at 16,534 MT crude oil and 37.46 MMSCM of natural gas," said OIL in the statement.
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