Sivasagar well blowout capped

After 16 days of natural gas leakage from a crude oil well at Bhatiapar locality of Sivasagar in eastern Assam, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had successfully capped the blowout at 11:15 am on 27 June 2025.

- NAVA THAKURIA

The state-sponsored Maharatna company along with an expert team from the USA continued working for full dousing of the RDS-147A under Rudrasagar oilfield and it was done with no casualty or injury to the response team while avoiding any ignition.

Lauding the ONGC crisis management team, Union Petroleum and Natural Gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri commented on a social media post that successful plugging of the blowout was made possible through "careful planning, international collaboration, and the exemplary competence" of the team.

The blowout began at 11:45 am on 12 June following a powerful explosion during a zone transfer perforation in the well which was under operation of a private firm named SK Petro Services.

ONGC initially made a statement asserting that the situation was under control as the gas blows did not catch fire and no injuries were reported to anybody.

But the uncontrolled leakage compelled over 330 families, living around the old well to move for safety (as any activities relating to a spark or fire would destroy the entire locality).

Soon the district administration had to step in and a temporary relief camp was opened at Bhati Bongaon with necessary amenities.

Besides the evacuation of over 1500 local villagers, the high-pressure gas flow heavily impacted the surrounding air and environment in surrounding areas.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the site on 16 June and also interacted with the local people taking shelter in the relief camp.

He announced an aid of Rs 25,000 per family affected by the blowout.

Expressing concern over the incident, Sarma urged the ONGC authority to act with a mission mode to control the unabated gas flow.

Later he wrote to Union minister Puri to take prompt action to prevent any escalation arguing that safety of the people living in the neighbourhood was a priority.