GUWAHATI: Even as its final blowout well killing operation in Baghjan gas well has developed serious snag the Oil India Limited (OIL) is now exploring alternative options for well control.
The OIL is actively considering drilling of relief wells in the vicinity of the Baghjan gas well No.5 and has requested Assam government for allotment of land to drill relief wells.
“After successful capping, attempt was made to kill the well by injecting killing fluids into the well. However due to rupture of a casing valve the killing operation had to be suspended.
“The well condition is being assessed for continuing with the well control operations. In the meantime, several other options like drilling of relief wells are being actively evaluated. State Government has again been requested to allot land for drilling relief wells,” a communique issued by the OIL informed today.
Baghjan gas well No. 5 which is located in Tinsukia district of Assam, has been releasing gas in high pressure for more than 84 days now.
More than 100 professionals, including 6 foreign experts have been on the job to kill the blowout well.
The Baghjan 5 well, which started leaking gas and condensate uncontrollably since May 27 forced the Oil authority as well as the district administration to evacuate more than 8,000 local residents to makeshift relief camps. The blowout well caught fire on June 9.
