ONGC contains Bhatiapar blowout in textbook operation, closes RDS#147A without harm

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 27, 2025

ONGC has safely capped a gas blowout at Well RDS#147A in Bhatiapar, concluding a high-pressure emergency response with zero injuries, zero casualties, and no fire—bringing a complex two-week crisis to a clean and controlled end.

The blowout began on June 12 during routine servicing. Gas erupted from the well, triggering an immediate and coordinated response. ONGC’s Crisis Management Team (CMT), supported by international experts from Cudd Pressure Control and local crews, moved swiftly to contain the situation.

At first light on Friday, the team launched a critical operation: the removal of the damaged Blowout Preventer (BOP). The process demanded surgical precision to avoid destabilizing the wellhead during extraction.

With the BOP safely lifted, a pre-positioned capping stack was expertly installed onto the wellhead. The move redirected gas flow to the top of the stack, effectively sealing the discharge and stabilizing the well.

Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri confirmed the success in a post on X (formerly Twitter): “ONGC has successfully capped the blowout of Well RDS#147A at 1115 hrs today… in the shortest possible time, following all best practices.”

He called it a display of technical competence and crisis management: “Through meticulous planning and execution, the Crisis Management Team and international experts shut down the blowout without any injury, casualty, or fire.”

ONGC, in its official release, declared the operation a success and credited it to detailed planning, precision engineering, and seamless teamwork. The company emphasized that daily updates were issued throughout the operation to keep stakeholders fully informed.

This final update marks the formal closure of communication on the RDS#147A incident.

ONGC expressed its appreciation to the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, state and district authorities, and the local community for their critical support. The company reaffirmed its commitment to high safety standards, environmental stewardship, and operational excellence.