Assam: Technical Snag in Baghjan Oil Rig Triggers Panic Among Locals

GUWAHATI: On Wednesday, panic spread through the neighbourhood as a result of an uncontrollable gas condensate discharge from an oil well owned by Oil India Limited (OIL) at Baghjan in the Tinsukia district of eastern Assam.

According to officials, a technical issue caused the gas leakage to be discovered in a suction pipe on the surface level of the OIL-owned BGI well in Baghjan. Over three years have passed since the Baghjan oil well blowout and fire of 2020.

The BGI well, one of the two new wells that were dug at Baghjan following the blowout, was scheduled to begin producing hydrocarbons on Wednesday.

OIL public relations officer Bhairab Bhuyan confirmed the development, stating that a technical hiccup was detected as the well was being set up for production, which resulted in gas leaking.

After sealing the well, the leakage was immediately stopped by technical specialists, according to Bhuyan.

"Neither the local population nor the environment have been harmed”, he mentioned.

Residents of the area have urged the government to halt all drilling activities until safety precautions are taken in the region.

Swapneel Paul, the deputy commissioner for Tinsukia, stated that the leakage was completely under control and that there was no law and order issue.

Tinsukia Deputy Commissioner Swapneel Paul sent officials, including one deputy superintendent of police and a circle officer, to take stock of the situation.

On June 9, 2020, a big fire started at factory No. 5 in Baghjan, just days after a significant rupture occurred on May 27.

The "blowout" took place at OIL's gas well number 5, which is located close to the Dibru-Saikhowa national park and the well-known Maguri-Motapung Beel migratory bird habitat.

Two firemen lost their lives battling the blaze, which burned for months before being put out. The Baghjan belt today has 24 wells owned by OIL.

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