Blowout at ONGC well in Konaseema

A blowout of natural gas was reported in a well owned by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC-Rajamundry Asset) on the outskirts of Irusumanda village of Malkipuram Mandal in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema District on Monday afternoon. A jet of fire, around 25 meters tall, could be seen.

The incident occurred while the well, identified as Mori-5, was being repaired for increasing gas production, claimed an official release from the ONGC. This workover operation (a type of major maintenance) was being done by a contractor identified as PEC Operator Deep Industries Limited.

“There is no human habitation within 600 metres of the well. Cooling operation is under way. The possibility to control the natural gas flow or capping it is being explored," said ONGC officials, adding that ONGC has begun coordinating with International experts for well control and casing-cutting operation.

District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar inspected the blowout site and nearby villages to initiate preparedness measures.

Evacuation

Mr. Mahesh Kumar said residents within 1 km of the well were being evacuated. The district administration was planning to bring water to the blowout site from an irrigation canal 200 meters away. In an official release, he said the estimated natural gas reserve in the well is expected to be more than 30 million cubic feet. "More clarity may emerge on capping the well over the next 24 hours," added Mr. Mahesh Kumar.