Gas Leak in Sivasagar: ONGC Implements Safety Measures and Monitors Air Quality

Ongoing Gas Leak Situation in Sivasagar

Sivasagar, June 19: The gas leak from well RDS 147A in Sivasagar has now reached its eighth day as of Thursday. The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has reported that it has successfully redirected some of the gas to a nearby production facility in a controlled manner.

In a statement released on Wednesday, ONGC emphasized, “To enhance safety, we are continuously maintaining water blanketing at the well.”

The organization reassured that ensuring the safety of the local population and the environment is its highest priority.

Ongoing air quality assessments by the Pollution Control Board of Assam indicate that the air quality in the vicinity remains within the permissible limits set by the Central Pollution Control Board’s (CPCB) 2009 National Ambient Air Quality Standards.

The analysis of the gas released, based on collected samples, confirms that it is non-toxic. Due to its lighter-than-air nature, the gas is dispersing upwards, thereby reducing risks to nearby communities.

According to ONGC, the gas consists of 97.6% methane, which rises to higher altitudes because of its lightness and does not settle down due to its weight.

Noise levels around the well site are also being monitored and have been found to be within acceptable limits beyond a 500-meter radius, as stated in the report.

Access to the site has been limited to authorized operational personnel only. ONGC’s internal well control experts are working continuously and are in regular consultation with an international well control agency.

The process to deploy their team to the incident site has already begun, although the name of the agency and the timeline for their arrival have not been disclosed.

The leak, which started on June 12, has led to the evacuation of approximately 70 families from the immediate area to a relief camp in Bhati Bongaon due to concerns over a potential explosion.

Additionally, the deteriorating health conditions of those in the relief camp have raised alarms among local residents and healthcare workers. Dr. Tazim Ahmed, the Block Medical Officer of Gaurisagar, reported that 114 individuals were examined at the government health camp on June 15, with cases of fever, gastritis, diarrhea, and fungal infections noted.

One patient suffering from diarrhea was referred to Joysagar Civil Hospital. ONGC also organized a separate health camp, screening 268 individuals, which brings the total number of people receiving medical care to 382 in just one day.

ONGC has reiterated that all measures taken are in accordance with regulatory guidelines and international best practices.