Assam gas leak: OIL conducts tripartite meeting to resolve issue of blockades by locals

• Due to stoppage and blockades, OIL incurred a production loss of 585 MT of crude oil and 0.64 MMSCM of natural gas as reported on June 19

• Operations have been disrupted at 30 oil wells and five gas wells, an official statement released by OIL said

New Delhi: After having incurred a cumulative production loss of 7,627 MT of crude oil and 9.87 MMSCM of natural gas since May 27, state-run OIL (Oil India Limited) held a tripartite meeting at the District Collector's office in Tinsukia, Assam, on Saturday. Apart from authorities from OIL, Baghjan Gaon Milanjyoti Yuva Sangha, officials from Tinsukia district administration took part in the meeting to resolve the issue of blockade of locals which has been impacting OIL's daily operations.

An oilwell owned by OIL in Assam's Baghjan has been leaking gas uncontrollably since May 27 and has become one of the worst industrial accidents in Assam's history. 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 and widespread damage was caused to people's homes in the vicinity. 

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. It has also displaced 1,610 families so far.

Operations disrupted in 30 oil wells, 5 gas wells

Due to stoppage and blockades, OIL incurred a production loss of 585 MT of crude oil and 0.64 MMSCM of natural gas as reported on June 19. Operations have been disrupted at 30 oil wells and five gas wells, an official statement released by OIL said. Work at the site of well blowout in Baghjan was affected on June 19 due to blockade at Baghjan EPS, OIL said.  "Working personnel could come out of the EPS only at around 7.30 PM at night yesterday," it added. To maintain law and order in the area, police forces have been deployed at the site by the district administration with assistance from the Army.

Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan conducted a video conference meeting on June 19 evening with OIL CMD Sushil Chandra Mishra and other Directors on the issue of continued blockades that is severely hampering the progress of work at the site.

Assessment of damage for compensation underway

Meanwhile, a survey for assessment of damage for compensation by the committee constituted by the District Administration is in progress. A team from Singapore-based Alert Disaster has visited the well site to assess the site preparation for capping the well. According to an official statement released by the Prime Minister's Office after a review meeting on June 18, the well is expected to be capped by July 7.

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