ONGC well blowout latest update: US experts to assist company in controlling gas leakage

In its daily bulletin on the blowout incident, ONGC said the foreign experts are likely to reach the site on Friday evening.

"An international team of well control experts has been mobilised from the United States of America and is expected to reach the site by the evening of June 20 to augment the response with specialised expertise," it said.

The blowout took place on June 12 at a well of the Rudrasagar oil field of ONGC at Barichuk of Bhatiapar. A private firm, S K Petro Services, was operating the well on behalf of the ‘Maharatna’ company.

ONGC also said it continues to make concerted efforts to control the unabated gas discharge from the well.

"Multiple junk shot operations using different combinations of materials and pressure ranges have been undertaken," it said.

Shares of ONGC ended 0.26% higher at ₹251 apiece on the NSE on Thursday.

On Monday, June 16, energy major ONGC said it had deployed the "most experienced" crisis management team to control the leakage of gas.

The district administration said that air pollution is still within the acceptable limit, and the local office of the Pollution Control Board, Assam, was closely monitoring the situation.

"ONGC has deployed its most experienced Crisis Management Team, a team with a proven track record in managing complex well control operations, to contain the gas leakage at Well RDS#147. The operation is being closely and continuously monitored by ONGC's top management," the company said in a statement.

Geological challenges are inherent to oil and gas operations, and the premier energy company follows stringent safety protocols, it added.

"ONGC is making all-out efforts to bring the gas leak under complete control at the earliest," the company said.

The company, in coordination with the district administration, undertook the safe evacuation of affected families and has been providing them with shelter, food, drinking water and other essential daily supplies.

Because of the blowout, around 1,500 people have been affected, and 70 families were shifted to a relief camp set up in nearby Bangaon, and all necessary arrangements are being made to ensure their welfare and well-being, ONGC said on June 16.