Sivasagar, Assam – June 27: In a major breakthrough, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) has successfully capped a gas well blowout at its Rudrasagar oilfield in Assam’s Sivasagar district, bringing an end to a two-week-long emergency operation that had prompted the evacuation of over 1,500 residents from nearby villages.
The operation to control the blowout at Well No. RDS-147A was completed at 11:15 a.m. on June 27, following an intensive effort that involved ONGC’s crisis management teams, officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and a specialized international emergency response agency based in the United States.
“This blowout started on June 12 and has been capped successfully within the shortest possible time, following all the best practices,” said Union Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He extended his gratitude to Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and state government officials for their “excellent and continuous support” throughout the operation.
The incident began on the morning of June 12, when a sudden and uncontrolled release of natural gas occurred at the well site. ONGC’s technical teams and emergency units were immediately mobilized to manage the situation and minimize risk to surrounding communities.
With potential hazards looming, roughly 1,500 people living in the vicinity were swiftly evacuated to ensure their safety. ONGC, along with local authorities, set up relief and monitoring mechanisms to manage the emergency efficiently.
A significant breakthrough in the operation came on June 26, when teams successfully removed obstructive rig components, tangled wires, and other structural impediments. This allowed unobstructed access to the wellhead, paving the way for the final capping procedure.
ONGC confirmed that the actual capping was carried out in a meticulous, phased manner, adhering to international best practices and safety standards.
Adding to the operational relief was the easing of water levels in the nearby Dikhow River, which had earlier posed a flood risk that could have delayed the containment efforts.
ONGC has stated that no detectable traces of hydrocarbons were found beyond a 30-metre radius from the well, indicating the blowout had been largely contained and did not result in major environmental contamination.
Authorities assured residents that there are no ongoing risks, and recovery operations in the affected area are now underway.
With the blowout capped and the situation under control, ONGC is now expected to assess the long-term impact on its operations in the Rudrasagar oilfield. A formal investigation into the cause of the incident is likely to follow, along with the implementation of enhanced safety measures.
This successful response further cements ONGC’s capacity to manage high-risk emergencies and reflects the critical role of inter-agency coordination in managing industrial hazards.
