Countdown begins for capping of oil blowout at Baghjan

DOOMDOOMA: If one is to go by the version of the Oil India Limited (OIL)'s press release issued on Saturday, the final countdown to extinguish the fire that engulfed the BGR-5 blowout well at Baghjan under Doomdooma LAC in Tinsukia District on June 9 began from Saturday and it is just a matter of time now for final capping of the well.

The press release issued by OIL stated, "Well head and well plinth have been made ready for well control operation. Capping Blow Out Preventor (BOP) stack with kill lines have been tested successfully. Assembling of Athey Wagon has been completed with newly fabricated axle, modified Boom sections and with other accessories. After rig up, load testing of the complete wagon is planned for today. Treatment of well killing fluid is under way."

OIL spokesperson Tridib Hazarika confidently asserted this time, "All efforts are being taken to control the well at the earliest." When asked about relief and rehabilitation, he said that total number of families surveyed for assessment of damage for compensation till August 7 in Doomdooma and Tinsukia Circle was 2,739.

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