Assam govt takes stock of OIL's gas leak at Tinsukia reveal irregularities

Assam Chief Minister held discussions with Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas Dharmendra Pradhan over the issue of gas leakage at one of Oil India Ltd's oil production well in the Baghjan oil field in the Tinsukia district. The situation has escalated ever since it was reported first on 27th May. It has endangered a number of animals including the death of rare breed dolphins in and around the park due to the gas leaked from the BGR 5 well after an explosion occurred when operational work was on. To its horror, the leakage has still continued and the Centre has taken intervention in the matter.

CM Sonowal has already raised measures to compensate nearby people affected. He has discussed with Pradhan to intervene in the situation. As such, the Joint Secretary of the Petroleum Ministry has been ordered to visit the area to note of the incident. In the meantime, Sonowal has stated that experts from abroad will also inspect the area. "We would like to inform you that the Central Government has decided to send a Joint Secretary from Delhi and an international expert from Singapore to investigate into the matter", said the Assam CM.

The macro issue

The incident has brought back the renewed focus on the oil activities being carried out in the eco-sensitive zone. Oil production work in and around the national park causing an existential threat to biodiversity has enraged the environmental activists and nature lovers across the state. The forest areas have been decreasing at an alarming rate over the years resulting in man-animal conflicts in the state.

Also read:

“We don’t understand what’s wrong with the government. Why is the government trying to destroy the forest areas? They allowed open cast mining in the Saleki region of the Dehing Patkai Rainforest. Now, the OIL has started drilling of seven wells inside the Dirbu Saikhowa National Park,” an environmental activist said.

Also read: Assam: Explosion at Baghjan oil production well in Tinsukia

How it unfolded?

The blowout happened while workover operations were going on to produce gas from new sand (oil & gas-bearing reservoir) at a depth of 3,729 metres. Earlier, the well was producing around 1 lakh Standard Cubic Metre per day (SCMD) of gas from a depth of 3,870 metres,” an Oil India statement said.

An explosion or blowout means that there has been an uncontrolled release of crude oil and/or natural gas from an oil well or gas well. This happens after pressure control systems fail.

The workover operations were being carried out by Chartered Hire Rig owned by John Energy under the supervision of OIL, an OIL statement said.

Protests against OIL’s move in Assam

Along with the protests on social media for Dehing Patkai Rainforest, people have also raised voice for the protection of the Dibru Saikhowa.

Several environmental organisations have also demanded immediate withdrawal of the oil-producing project to protect the fragile ecology of the national park and its adjacent areas.

Meanwhile, the OIL authority claimed that the operation would have no impact on the national park stating that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) accorded environmental clearance for extension drilling and testing of hydrocarbons at seven locations under Dibru-Saikhowa National Park.

How will the government react even after this incident will be understood in the days to come?

Readers like you make Inside Northeast’s work possible.

To support our brand of fearless and investigative journalism, support us HERE.

Download:

The Inside Northeast app HERE for News, Views, and Reviews from Northeast India.

Do keep following us for news on-the-go. We deliver the Northeast.