CORRESPONDENTS
SIVASAGAR/GAURISAGAR/NAZIRA: The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on Wednesday announced a significant milestone in its ongoing well control operations at the RDS site, marking a critical step towards securing the well.
Through a press communiqué, the company stated that in a coordinated operation, an extra-long boom crane and a 40-tonne crane successfully removed 42 tubing stands from the rig’s derrick. This vital task cleared the way for the safe removal of the rig base from the wellhead. Following this development, ONGC is now preparing for the next phase, which includes dismantling the existing Blowout Preventer (BOP) and installing the capping stack. During this process, a temporary increase in gas discharge is expected. However, ONGC reassured that the gas is non-toxic and the volume significantly reduced, posing no threat to communities beyond a 500-metre radius.
As part of its multi-layered safety approach, ONGC continued water blanketing operations with technical support from its international well control partner, CUDD.
Meanwhile, rising water levels in the Dikhow River added logistical hurdles. In response, teams were actively relocating high-capacity pumps to ensure continuous operation of critical safety systems.
Ambient air quality was being closely monitored, with all parameters currently within safe limits. Medical and relief camps remained fully functional, providing support to personnel and nearby residents, the release stated.
Also Read: Next phase of well control operations underway at ONGC’s RDS 147A in Sivasagar
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