Capping of Bhatiapar Crude Oil Well

Finally the natural gas leakage from Bhatiapar  crude oil well was contained on 27 Jun 2025 by an experienced team of  Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) with support from three foreign well-control experts. The capping operation at Rudrasagar oilfield well (RDS-147A) in Sivasagar was performed with no casualty or injury to the response team while avoiding any incident of ignition. Lauding the state-sponsored Maharatna company, federal petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri commented that full dousing of the well was made possible through careful planning, international collaboration, and the exemplary competence of the engaged team members. The blowout from the well, which was under operation of a private firm named SK Petro Services, began on 12 June and the uncontrolled leakage compelled over  330 families to leave their places for safety reasons. Besides the local villagers living near the old well, the high pressure gas flow impacted the surrounding environment heavily. But troubles for the ONGC did not end here, as the State pollution authority issued a show-cause notice to the energy major for its activities without securing necessary environmental clearances. Pollution Control Board, Assam (PCBA) on 21 June accused the ONGC of operating at well number 147 (Bhatiapar–Barichuk area) without securing the mandatory consent to establish (CTE) and consent to operate (CTO) under a number of environmental legislations. The PCBA gave the largest crude oil & natural gas exploration and drilling company in India two weeks to explain why action should not be taken against it under various rules. If failed to respond within the stipulated period, the PCBA (under the guidelines of National Green Tribunal) may impose environmental compensation fines (ECF) and other penalties against the ONGC.
 
Chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, after visiting the site, announced an aid of Rs 25,000 per affected family. Expressing concern over the incident, Sarma urged the ONGC authority to act with a mission mode to control the unabated gas flow. He also drew the attention of Union petroleum & natural gas  minister Hardeep Singh Puri urging for prompt actions considering the safety of local villagers. Meanwhile, a series of protests erupted in the locality against the negligence shown by the ONGC and SK Petro Services. The agitators belonging to Asomiya Yuba Manch, All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union, Anusuchita Jati Chatra Santha, Sangrami Sena etc also demanded adequate compensation to local residents for the loss in agriculture and long-term general health. Many residents were worried about the incident after recollecting the worrisome memory of Baghjan catastrophic gas & oil leak after catching fire subsequently. Well number 5 of the Oil India Limited (OIL) experienced the gas discharge on 27 May 2020 and it caught fire on 9 June to make the accident one of the worst industrial disasters in India. The gas flow and fire was completely doused on 15 November with the help of an expert team from Canada. The disaster claimed three human lives, sudden evacuation of over 9000 families (and subsequent loss of properties and livelihoods) as well as damaged thousands of hectares of areas belonging to Maguri-Motapung wetland and Dibru-Saikhowa National Park etc.
 
ONGC’s  New Delhi-based corporate communications department issued a statement acknowledging the exemplary contributions of its team along with foreign experts and the dedicated local people who supported its effort in bringing the well under control. It also asserted that the company ‘maintained full transparency throughout the operation’ issuing daily press releases to keep all stakeholders informed. The management also extended its heartfelt thanks to the district and State administration, Union petroleum and natural gas ministry and the local community for their unwavering support and cooperation, which were instrumental in the safe and timely execution of the complex operation. It also reiterated the commitment in upholding the highest standards of safety, environmental responsibility, and operational excellence in every phase of the mission. However, even after days of successful culmination of the operation, the ONGC authority is yet to announce any compensation to the affected villagers. Moreover, it remains a vital question, why India continues to depend on foreign experts to deal with hydrocarbon disasters even today!

Also Read: Explosion at ONGC Well in Assam’s Sivasagar: Gas and Crude Oil Leak Triggers Fire Risk