Uncontrolled ONGC gas blowout enters day 8 in Assam; US crisis team rushed to Bhatiapar

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaJune 19, 2025

An ongoing gas blowout from an Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) well in Assam’s Sivasagar district entered its eighth day on Thursday, prompting the deployment of a specialised well-controlled team from the United States. The situation at the Bhatiapar well site remains critical, with efforts to contain the high-pressure gas leak so far proving unsuccessful.

The incident, which began on June 12 at Well RDS#147A, has continued to release natural gas into the atmosphere, raising serious concerns about public safety and environmental risks. Multiple “junk shot” operations—where heavy materials are pumped into the well to block the flow—have failed to plug the leak, ONGC officials confirmed.

In a bid to bolster containment efforts, ONGC has flown in a team of international experts with advanced blowout control capabilities. The US based specialists are expected to arrive at Bhatiapar on Friday evening and will work alongside ONGC engineers and Indian authorities to implement complex well-killing strategies.

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As a precaution, ONGC has begun constructing an alternate access road to ensure safer and more efficient movement of personnel and equipment. Non-essential structures, including bunkhouses, are being removed from the immediate area. Water blanketing operations—a critical safety procedure to suppress gas ignition risks—are continuing around the clock.

Environmental surveillance around the site has been intensified. Continuous monitoring of ambient air quality, including particulate matter and gas levels, is underway. Authorities stated that all readings remain within permissible safety limits, though the extended duration of the blowout has unsettled nearby communities.

Residents in the vicinity have reported disruptions to daily life. ONGC, in collaboration with the district administration, is providing relief and logistical support to the affected families. So far, there have been no injuries or fatalities reported.

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ONGC maintained that every possible resource was being deployed to contain the leak and ensure safety. “We are working in close coordination with national and international experts and are committed to resolving the issue at the earliest,” a spokesperson said.

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The Bhatiapar incident has revived memories of the 2020 Baghjan gas blowout in Tinsukia district, which took over five months to control and caused severe environmental and human losses. While the scale of the current incident is smaller, authorities are under pressure to avoid a repeat of the prolonged disaster.