Guwahati: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that international specialists from the United States are expected to arrive at the site of the uncontrolled natural gas leak at ONGC’s RDS 147A well in Sivasagar district this evening. This development marks a crucial phase in efforts to contain the week-long blowout that began on June 13 during routine servicing operations.
Sarma revealed that ONGC has abandoned earlier approaches and is now implementing “a more practical and safer strategy” to cap the leak. Approximately 50% of preliminary work, including site preparation and equipment deployment, has been completed. Full-scale operations under the new plan are set to begin tomorrow, with both central and state governments maintaining round-the-clock monitoring of the situation.
ONGC’s initial containment efforts proved insufficient to stop the continuous gas outflow. However, the company has managed to establish a connection between the affected well and a nearby production facility, allowing controlled diversion of some gas flow. Water blanketing is being maintained around the well as an additional safety precaution. Environmental monitoring conducted by Assam’s Pollution Control Board shows air quality parameters remain within national standards.
The leaked gas has been confirmed as non-toxic and lighter than air, enabling natural dispersion at higher altitudes. Noise levels beyond a 500-metre radius from the well site are reported to be within acceptable limits. However, local communities and environmental groups are closely watching developments, particularly given the proximity to populated areas in Sivasagar district, which is home to several tea gardens and agricultural lands that could be impacted if containment efforts fail.
ONGC officials stress that safety protocols are being strictly followed and that all actions comply with regulatory guidelines and industry standards. The company maintains that community and environmental safety remain top priorities as operations continue. This incident has revived memories of the 2020 Baghjan blowout in Tinsukia district, where an ONGC well leak escalated into a massive fire, causing significant environmental damage and displacing thousands of residents.
Read More: Tripura: Sanitation Worker Sentenced to Three Years for Molesting Minor Girls