US Experts Join ONGC to Contain Assam Gas Leak

24 Jun 2025 CW Team

A team of international well control experts from the United States has been mobilised to assist Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) in containing a gas leak from one of its wells in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar district. The specialists are expected to arrive at the Rudrasagar oilfield site by the evening of 20 June to bolster containment efforts with advanced technical support.

The incident occurred on 12 June at well number RDS 147A of rig SKP 135, located at Barichuk in Bhatiapar. The site, operated by private contractor SK Petro Services on behalf of ONGC, experienced a blowout, prompting the evacuation of over 1,500 residents from nearby areas.

In a statement issued on 19 June, ONGC said: “We continue to make concerted efforts to control the gas discharge. Multiple junk shot operations have been carried out using varied materials and pressure combinations.”

Operational control of the affected well was taken over by a team led by Vikram Saxena, Director (Technology and Field Services) at ONGC, shortly after the blowout.

As a precautionary measure, ONGC has begun developing an alternate access route to the well to ensure the safe and efficient movement of personnel and equipment. Non-essential equipment and bunk houses are also being removed from the immediate area.

Water blanketing operations are being conducted around the clock to prevent ignition, and preparations for dynamic well killing strategies are ongoing. Continuous ambient air quality monitoring is being carried out at the site, with ONGC confirming that gas concentrations and particulate matter levels remain within permissible limits.

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had earlier warned that the leak could result in a major disaster if a fire were to break out at the site. Authorities remain on high alert as ONGC, with support from the incoming US experts, works to bring the situation under control.

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