Concerns Rise Over ONGC Gas Blowout Incident in Rudrasagar Oilfield

Gas Blowout Raises Operational Concerns

Guwahati, June 24: The ongoing gas blowout at a well in ONGC’s Rudrasagar oilfield has persisted for 13 days, raising significant alarms regarding the operational standards of the private contractor engaged by the public sector unit, especially in terms of its technical expertise.

Industry experts with considerable experience in exploration and production have pointed out that standard protocols typically necessitate at least two, and often three, safety barriers to avert blowouts during such operations.

“The annuli, which is the space between casing strings or between the casing and the wellbore, are usually filled with specialized fluids to maintain wellbore pressure and safeguard the casing. This serves as the first barrier. The second barrier is the blowout preventer (BOP), a vital device installed on the wellhead that employs valves and mechanical systems to seal the well and prevent any uncontrolled release of hydrocarbons,” they elaborated. “BOPs undergo rigorous testing prior to installation.”

Reports indicate that both of these barriers seem to have failed under the extreme pressure of the gas.

Experts have raised concerns about the readiness of the private operator. “BOPs are designed based on the known pressure profile of the well, which is evaluated during the initial drilling phase. How could the operators misjudge the pressure? Was the well’s historical data overlooked? Was there a breakdown in communication between ONGC and the private contractor?” they questioned.

When asked how a gas blowout could happen in an established oil well, they responded: “Geological surveys confirm the presence of hydrocarbons but do not always differentiate between oil and gas. Generally, gas is located in upper formations, followed by oil, with water layers beneath. If gas deposits were nearby, this possibility should have been considered. The operators should have been prepared for such an eventuality.”

It is worth noting that a similar blowout occurred at Oil India Limited’s Baghjan well in 2020, also managed by a private operator. However, that site was recognized as a gas reservoir.

The unfortunate incident at Baghjan highlighted the necessity for stringent monitoring when outsourcing such tasks to private contractors, yet the Rudrasagar blowout has once again raised concerns about operational oversight.

The incident took place at Well No. RDS-147 around noon on June 12, reportedly during a perforation job intended for zone transfer – a process to initiate production from a new reservoir layer. Such operations are usually carried out under strictly controlled conditions.

In response to the blowout, ONGC promptly assumed control of operations and has been working diligently to regain command of the site.