OIL continues ops to cap well 5 at Baghjan, Here are the latest developments

Guwahati: Operations to cap the well 5 at the Baghjan oil field in Assam's Tinsukia, which suffered a blow out on May 27, is still going on, informed Oil India Limited (OIL) in a statement released earlier today.

The air quality monitoring and noise level monitoring were carried out by M/s ERM at Guijan side, while air quality monitoring was carried out at Baghjan site yesterday. Consultation with local people has also been carried out as a part of the ecological survey in Bebejia, Motapung and Balijan area.

A TERI study on air and quality and noise level is also going on and samples for monitoring air quality and noise level are being collected for analysis and recording of data at already installed analyzers is in progress. Additionally, the site preparation for the bioremediation job is also in progress depending on the site condition. Debris clearance along the roadside from the blow out well towards Maguri Beel is currently in progress, stated OIL.

The CSIR-NEIST seismological study to record tremors is also in progress. and recording is in progress in the vicinity of Baghjan-5 well. Currently, 5 sets of sensors including an accelerometer are recording data.

Meanwhile, the debris removal activity is continued at the site today since morning, along with the continuous spraying /jacketing of water in the well plinth/debris. 6 loads of debris amongst others, including some major items (2 fire tenders, a filtration unit, a cement mixing tank, and a cementing pump with delivery lines) were removed from the well plinth yesterday.

At the same time, the refilling of the water reservoir is being carried out and standby equipment and accessories are ready for water filling. Depending on the requirement, fabrication and repairing jobs are being carried out at the temporary workshop created near the site.

Shifting of debris from debris Lay Down to Duliajan is also in progress as per requirement and the shifting of 5 loads of debris to Duliajan was completed yesterday.

40% of civil work for the development of the new area for placing Kill Pumps near debris laydown area has been completed and an emergency escape route from the debris laydown area has been charted out.

2 fire monitors, 140 portadeck mats, an excavator, smoke tower, and heat shields with accessories for fire monitors and bulldozers are being transferred to the site today. Other equipment and materials are being transferred in a phased manner depending on requirements and the site's condition.

Servicing of standby engine/ pumps etc. is in progress, and all-important equipment/ materials mobilized from outside reached the Duliajan site.

Surveys for Assessment of damage for compensation by the committee constituted by District Administration are in progress. Assessments for 34 more families were conducted yesterday in Doomdooma Circle and 70 families in the Tinsukia circle, raising the number of families surveyed to date in Doomdooma and Tinsukia Circle to 856.

OIL has stated that cumulative production loss since May 27, 2020 due to bandhs and blockades now stands at 9047 MT Crude oil and 11.59 MMSCM of natural gas.

Meanwhile, a mock drill of evacuation plan was successfully carried out on July 2, with the Helicopter services provided by Airforce.

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