Detailed environment study underway to assess impact of well blowout: OIL

• Regular monitoring of air quality, water quality, noise level and the presence of gas (lower explosive limit) is being carried out by OIL at wellsite

• A preliminary assessment by a team from TERI is in progress at the well blowout site for studying air quality and noise level monitoring around Baghjan

New Delhi: A detailed environment impact assessment is underway at the well blowout site in Baghjan, Tinsukia district in Assam, said state-run OIL (Oil India Limited) on Wednesday. The oil well in Assam's Baghjan, which is owned by Oil India, has been leaking natural gas uncontrollably since May 27. And the gas had caught fire during cleaning operations on June 9, leading to a huge explosion. It took two days for firefighters to douse the flames. In the process, two fire personnel of OIL lost their lives.

The well blowout has become one of the worst industrial accidents of the times and Assam's worst oil well fire in a decade as it is yet to be controlled, despite efforts being made by ONGC, OIL, and foreign experts. The gas leak incident has been particularly dangerous because of the oilfield's proximity to the Dibru Saikhowa national park, which is a biodiversity hotspot, and the famous migratory bird habitat Maguri-Motapung Beel in Baghjan.

OIL monitoring air quality, water quality, presence of gas at Baghjan site

Regular monitoring of air quality, water quality, noise level and the presence of gas (lower explosive limit) is being carried out by OIL at wellsite, said the state-run oil PSU in an official statement. It added, "Environment Impact Assessment study is in progress by M/s ERM India Pvt. Limited, a NABET accredited consultant, to carry out the Environment and Ecological survey within the vicinity of BGN#5, including Dibru-Saikhowa National Park & Maguri–Motapung Beel."

A preliminary assessment by a team from TERI is in progress at the well blowout site for studying air quality and noise level monitoring around Baghjan. They are also carrying out bioremediation of sludge in OIL's installations using a technology developed in-house by the R&D Department of OIL, the statement said. 

Well blowout: Tremor report and impact on vegetation studied

OIL said that a preliminary assessment on vegetation impact survey on plants and tea garden was conducted by Assam Agricultural University. They have been further requested to start post fire damage assessment study to assess the damage to crops/tree/plants (paddy/tea/fruit/vegetation) in surrounding areas of Baghjan, it added.

"Study using seismological technique on tremor report from the neighbouring areas is being conducted by Council of Scientific & Industrial Research – North East Institute of Science & Technology, Jorhat, facilitated by the government of Assam. Arrangements are being made for seismologists to come to site with requisite equipment," said the statement. 

Meanwhile, nine trucks loaded with materials for Bailey Bridge mobilized from 3 Corps Indian Army, Misamari, Tezpur, is in transit. Two more trucks are being loaded and six more trucks were loaded on Wednesday with remaining materials for the bridge. Vehicles carrying second load of equipment/materials mobilised from ONGC Rajamundry and Vadodara is also in transit, said OIL.