ONGC Declares Areas Beyond 500m Safe as Gas Leak Risk Recedes

The gas leak from an ONGC well at Bhatiapar in Sivasagar, which had triggered panic across the region, is gradually being brought under control. American experts deployed on-site continue their round-the-clock operations, and although complete containment has not yet been achieved, ONGC has indicated that full control is expected soon.

Initially, the gas leak posed a direct threat to around 75 families living in the immediate vicinity of the well. However, in the days that followed, the number of affected individuals surged to over 3,000, as toxic emissions and emergency evacuations extended beyond the initial impact zone. The growing humanitarian crisis has left residents clinging to hope for compensation and government support.

In an advisory issued recently, ONGC stated that it is now safe for residents living beyond a 500-metre radius of the site to return to their homes and resume normal activities, including cooking and the use of electricity. This comes after scientific assessments indicated no trace of hydrocarbons beyond a 30-metre radius of the well — a “positive development,” according to the corporation.

The gas pressure inside the well has also reportedly reduced, making conditions safer for final capping operations. As a critical safety measure, ONGC continues to conduct 'water blanketing' operations around the clock to suppress the risk of fire and maintain containment.

High-Stakes Operation Underway

The crisis response team, including ONGC’s Crisis Management Team (CMT) and international specialists, has already evacuated over 10 trailer-loads of rig components from the site. With most of the rig dismantled and removed, preparations are now underway to permanently seal the well — a process referred to as 'capping'.
For this, the team is currently transporting heavy machinery and specialised tools to the site. A long boom crane is also being organised to carry out one of the most complex operations: the safe removal of tubing from the rig's derrick. This crucial step marks the final act before the well can be shut down permanently.

Meanwhile, ONGC continues to provide active support to the district administration in managing relief camps. A 24x7 medical assistance setup has been arranged to care for displaced residents. The corporation claims it remains committed to the welfare of the affected population, even as it navigates one of its most challenging field operations in recent years.

Economic Concerns of SK Petro Workers Also Surface

In a parallel development, the Bir Lachit Sena, a regional organization, has been actively advocating for the financial rights of affected workers from SK Petro — the company reportedly involved in field operations at the leak site. Discussions are expected soon between the organization, the workers, and company representatives to resolve outstanding economic and labour concerns.

A Race Against Time

As ONGC and its global partners enter the final and most delicate phase of the containment operation, public attention remains firmly fixed on Bhatiapar. The gas leak may be nearing its end, but the questions it raises about environmental safety, corporate accountability, and disaster preparedness in India's energy sector are only just beginning.

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