Gas blowout at ONGC well in Assam successfully capped after 16 days: Puri
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) successfully capped the gas blowout at its crude oil well in Assam's Sivasagar district after 16 days of gas leakage, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. Around 350 families were evacuated from the neighbouring areas as a safety measure. (File photo)
The well, located in the Rudrasagar oil field at Bhatiapar–Barichuk, has been leaking natural gas uncontrollably since June 12. A special crisis management team from the United States was flown in last week to assist in the operation.
The blowout took place on June 12 at Well No RDS 147A of Rig No SKP 135 of Rudrasagar oil field of ONGC at Barichuk in Bhatiapar
In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Puri announced that the blowout was brought under control at 11:15am.
'ONGC has successfully capped the blowout of well RDS-147A at 1115 hours today. This blowout started on 12th June and has been capped successfully within the shortest possible time following all the best practices,' he posted on X.
Also Read: Assam gas leak: PCB serves show-cause notice to ONGC for unauthorised operations
Puri also praised ONGC's crisis management team and international well control experts.
'The operation was executed safely, without any injury, casualty or fire, testifying to the competency of the crisis management team,' he added.
The blowout, which began on June 12, led to the evacuation of more than 350 families from the surrounding area due to safety concerns. The Assam government had set up relief camps and sought central assistance after the situation escalated.
A team of international experts from US-based well control firm Cudd Pressure Control was brought in to assist ONGC engineers in capping the well. Specialised equipment and an extra-long boom crane were mobilized from Guwahati to remove heavy tubing from the rig and prepare for the final sealing operation.
Earlier this week, ONGC said pressure levels at the site had stabilised and that residents beyond a 500-metre radius could safely return to their homes.
Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also thanked those involved in the operation.
'Thank you Hon'ble Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for your exceptional leadership and persistence in sealing the gas leak at #RDS147A, Sivasagar, which had been a great cause of concern for all of us. We also acknowledge the tireless efforts put in by the ONGC team and members of our State administration,' Sarma said on X.
'My deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of Sivasagar, especially those residing in the affected areas, for displaying extraordinary levels of perseverance and extending unstinted cooperation with all concerned agencies over the last two weeks', he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
4 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Gas blowout at ONGC well in Assam successfully capped after 16 days: Puri
The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) successfully capped the gas blowout at its crude oil well in Assam's Sivasagar district after 16 days of gas leakage, Union petroleum minister Hardeep Singh Puri said on Friday. Around 350 families were evacuated from the neighbouring areas as a safety measure. (File photo) The well, located in the Rudrasagar oil field at Bhatiapar–Barichuk, has been leaking natural gas uncontrollably since June 12. A special crisis management team from the United States was flown in last week to assist in the operation. The blowout took place on June 12 at Well No RDS 147A of Rig No SKP 135 of Rudrasagar oil field of ONGC at Barichuk in Bhatiapar In a post on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Puri announced that the blowout was brought under control at 11:15am. 'ONGC has successfully capped the blowout of well RDS-147A at 1115 hours today. This blowout started on 12th June and has been capped successfully within the shortest possible time following all the best practices,' he posted on X. Also Read: Assam gas leak: PCB serves show-cause notice to ONGC for unauthorised operations Puri also praised ONGC's crisis management team and international well control experts. 'The operation was executed safely, without any injury, casualty or fire, testifying to the competency of the crisis management team,' he added. The blowout, which began on June 12, led to the evacuation of more than 350 families from the surrounding area due to safety concerns. The Assam government had set up relief camps and sought central assistance after the situation escalated. A team of international experts from US-based well control firm Cudd Pressure Control was brought in to assist ONGC engineers in capping the well. Specialised equipment and an extra-long boom crane were mobilized from Guwahati to remove heavy tubing from the rig and prepare for the final sealing operation. Earlier this week, ONGC said pressure levels at the site had stabilised and that residents beyond a 500-metre radius could safely return to their homes. Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also thanked those involved in the operation. 'Thank you Hon'ble Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for your exceptional leadership and persistence in sealing the gas leak at #RDS147A, Sivasagar, which had been a great cause of concern for all of us. We also acknowledge the tireless efforts put in by the ONGC team and members of our State administration,' Sarma said on X. 'My deepest gratitude to the brave men and women of Sivasagar, especially those residing in the affected areas, for displaying extraordinary levels of perseverance and extending unstinted cooperation with all concerned agencies over the last two weeks', he added.
Hindustan Times
5 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Rath Yatra: Sibling deities take seat in chariots
Puri, The three chariots are now ready to roll down the Grand Road here as Lord Balabhadra, Devi Subhadra and Lord Jagannath have ascended their respective chariots after over two-hour long ceremonial 'Pahandi' ritual here on Friday. Rath Yatra: Sibling deities take seat in chariots The word 'Pahandi' comes from the Sanskrit word 'Padamundanam' which means taking slow steps movement by spreading feet. As per tradition, the 'Pahandi' was carried in 'Dhadi' where the three wooden idols were carried to the chariots from the 12th century temple. The pahandi of the trinity began with Chakraraj Sudarshan, followed by Lord Balabhdra, Devi Subhadra and finally Lord Jagannath. Though the Pahandi ritual was earlier scheduled to begin at 9.30 am, it started one hour late and the ritual was completed as per plan. The trinity was now seated on their respective chariots parked in front of the Lion's Gate of the temple for journey to Shree Gundicha Temple, about 2.6 kilometre from the 12th-century shrine. With the beating of gongs, and blowing of conches and cymbals, Chakraraj Sudarshan was first to be carried out from the main temple and seated at the 'Darpadalan' chariot of Devi Subhadra. Shree Sudarshan is the wheel weapon of Lord Vishnu, who is worshipped in the form of Lord Jagannath in Puri, said Pandit Suryanaray Rathsharma. Shree Sudarshan was followed by Lord Balabhadra, the elder brother of Lord Jagannath. Lord Balabhadra is seated on his 'Taladhwaja' chariot. Goddess Subhadra, the sister of Lord Jagannath and Lord Balabhadra, was being brought to her 'Darpadalan' chariot in a special procession called 'Sunya Pahandi' by servitors. When finally Lord Jagannath came out of the temple, emotions spilled over the Grand Road as devotees raised their hands shouting 'Jai Jagannath'. Odissi dancers, folk artists, music players and many other groups drawn from different parts of the state compete among themselves to perform before the 'Kalia Thakura' . "My life will be fulfilled if the Lord graced to throw a look at me," said Maitree Maheswari, an Odissi dancer. The Shankaracharya of Govardhan Peeth, Swami Nischalananda Saraswati along with his selected disciples visited three chariots after the deities ascended on them. The 81-year-old seer came near the chariots in a wheel chair. The Shankaracharya's visit is also part of the Rath Yatra rituals. Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi, Union Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat, Puri MP Sambit Patra, Odisha ministers and many others witnessed the ceremonial Pahandi, one of the major attraction of Rath Yatra here in Puri. Ratha Yatra, is held on the second day of the Odia month of 'Ashadha Shukla Tithi' every year, is the only occasion when the sibling deities come out of the temple after descending from the 'Ratna Sinhasana', the bejewelled throne, through 22 steps known as 'Baisi Pahacha' through the Lion's Gate in an elaborate royal ritual called 'Pahandi'. As per the tradition 'Chhera pahanra' would be performed by Gajapati Dibyasingha Deb at 3.30 pm before pulling of chariots at 4 pm as per the programme. Meanwhile, lakhs of devotees have already thronged the pilgrim town of Puri to witness the annual Rath Yatra of Lord Jagannath and his siblings on Friday. The festival is being held amid unprecedented security arrangements with deployment of around 10,000 personnel of Odisha police, central armed police force, NSG and others. "We have made all possible arrangements for smooth conduct of Rath Yatra," DGP Y B Khurania told reporters, adding that over 275 AI-enabled CCTV cameras are keeping watch on the crowd. ADGP Sanjay Kumar said that the arrangements are made keeping in view some information following the Pahalgam terror attack. Apart from Odisha police, eight companies of central armed police force including 3 teams of RAF, have been deployed. "Several central government agencies are collaborating with Odisha Police, including NSG snipers, Coast Guard drones, and anti-drone systems. Canine teams and Odisha's anti-sabotage units are also engaged in duty here," he said. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
News18
5 hours ago
- News18
F-35B Jet Remains Grounded In Kerala; Towing Gear, Support Team Being Flown From UK
Last Updated: A UK Royal Navy F-35B jet that made an emergency landing in Kerala on June 14 remains grounded, with British engineers and towing equipment being flown in for repairs. The F-35B fighter jet of the UK's Royal Navy, which has remained stranded in Kerala for nearly a fortnight now, will now reportedly be moved to a repair hangar with the help of a special towing equipment. According to a report with the Kerala-based English newspaper Onmanorama, a specialist towing equipment is being flown in from the United Kingdom to move the jet to the Air India Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) hangar. Engineers from HMS Prince of Wales assessed the aircraft, and it was decided that the support of a UK-based engineering team was needed. On Wednesday, British authorities said efforts were underway to repair the aircraft. The jet, worth over USD 110 million and known to be one of the most advanced fighters globally, made an emergency landing at the Thiruvananthapuram airport on June 14. The aircraft is part of the HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group of the UK's Royal Navy. 'We are working to repair the UK F-35B at Thiruvananthapuram international airport as quickly as possible," a British high commission spokesperson said. 'We thank the Indian Authorities for their continued support," the official said. The aircraft was unable to return to HMS Prince of Wales due to adverse weather conditions. Prioritising safety, the aircraft was diverted to Thiruvananthapuram International Airport, where it landed safely. The aircraft has subsequently developed an engineering issue while on the ground, which precluded its return to the carrier, it is learnt. Days after the fighter jet's emergency landing, the Indian Air Force said it was providing all necessary support for the 'rectification and subsequent return" of the aircraft. The HMS Prince of Wales Carrier Strike Group carried out military drills with the Indian Navy earlier this month. The F-35B is the only fifth-generation fighter jet with short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities, making it ideal for operating from smaller decks, austere bases and ships.
