ONGC team continues well-capping efforts despite poor weather

Dibrugarh: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) is continuing their relentless efforts to contain the blowout at well RDS 147A in Sivasagar, which entered its twelfth day on Monday.

Despite challenging weather conditions and rising floodwaters, significant progress has been made toward the final capping operation.

One of the most encouraging developments has been a noticeable reduction in gas pressure at the well site.

The arrival of a crucial extra-long boom crane from Guwahati on Monday evening marked a pivotal moment in the containment efforts. The specialised equipment, essential for safely removing tubings stacked in the rig derrick, represents a major step forward in clearing the rig from the well site to prepare for the final capping operation.

"The final capping operation will start soon and experts from ONGC, other experts from India and foreign experts are preparing the groundwork," said GM ONGC Captain Satendra Sangwan.

Monday's operations faced additional challenges as heavy and continuous rainfall created slushy working conditions across the site. However, ONGC's regional crisis management team (RCMT), working alongside three international experts from Cudd Pressure Control, USA, maintained their full engagement despite adverse weather conditions. The persistent efforts of the combined team have ensured that the clearing of remaining rig equipment continues uninterrupted.