GUWAHATI, June 27: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has successfully sealed a critical gas well blowout in Assam’s Sivasagar district, ending a two-week-long emergency that forced evacuations and raised serious safety concerns across the region.
The blowout occurred at well RDS#147A on June 12 and was finally brought under control at 11:15 am on June 27 through coordinated efforts between ONGC’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) and international well control experts. The high-risk operation concluded without any casualties, injuries, or fire incidents.
Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed the successful capping operation, describing the timeline as the “shortest possible time” to resolve such a hazardous incident, in line with international best practices. He commended the meticulous planning and concerted response that led to the safe sealing of the well, stating that the operation “testifies to the competency of Crisis Management.”
ONGC deployed specialized equipment and expert teams to tackle the complex engineering challenges posed by the uncontrolled gas release. The gas leak had a significant impact on surrounding communities, prompting local authorities to initiate precautionary measures and evacuate residents from the affected zones. Emergency response teams worked round the clock to mitigate health and safety risks due to the gas emissions.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma expressed his gratitude to Minister Puri for his “exceptional leadership and persistence” throughout the crisis. He also acknowledged the tireless efforts of Team ONGC, state administration officials, and ground-level personnel who ensured a coordinated and effective response.
“The gas leak at RDS#147A had been a great cause of concern for all,” said CM Sarma. “I extend my deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of Sivasagar, especially those residing in the affected areas, for their extraordinary levels of perseverance and unstinted cooperation with all concerned agencies over the last two weeks.”
