ONGC to rope in U.S. experts to stop gas leak in Assam rig

Assam CM meeting with affected people in and around the concerned rig in the district’s Rudrasagar field, and they have been moved to safer grounds, after the gas leak four days ago. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

GUWAHATI

The scale of a natural gas leak from a rig in eastern Assam’s Sivasagar district has led the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) to contact foreign experts to contain it.

More than 1,500 people from villages around the rig in the district’s Rudrasagar field have been evacuated to safety after the leakage occurred four days ago.

On Tuesday (June 17, 2025), Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the State’s Chief Secretary, Ravi Kota, discussed the matter with the Secretary in the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and the Chairman of the oil exploration major, who is expected to visit Sivasagar soon.

“They (the ONGC) told us that they are bringing experts from the U.S. They are optimistic about blocking the well soon,” he said.

Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri held a meeting at his office in New Delhi on Tuesday to take stock of the situation.

“Reviewed and took update on well control activities being carried out by @ONGC_ in well RDS#147A in Sivasagar district of Assam. The gas flow has continued since the past 4 days due to the extraordinarily high pressure in the well,” he posted on X.

Mr. Puri further wrote that competent personnel had been sent from other work centres of the ONGC to Rudrasagar, and very high-capacity fire pumps, frack pumps, etc., were all working at the site.

“High-tech methods, such as junk pumping, are also being deployed, and ONGC officers are in constant touch with international overseas experts. A water blanket is continuously being maintained for a cooling effect, and to prevent fire,” the Minister said.

Mr. Sarma said he would request Mr. Puri to send the experts immediately so that the gas leak could be controlled.

“People are suffering as they have not been able to resume their normal activities. They have moved to a nearby school and are camping there. Students have not been able to go to their schools and colleges. There is a sense of anger among the locals,” he said after meeting the affected people.

“There is only a gas leak and no fire so far. But if there is a fire for some reason, it will be a huge disaster. The situation will go out of control. The matter is very serious and very urgent,” Mr. Sarma said, adding that he would request adequate compensation for the over 300 affected families from the Centre.

“We will provide a relief of ₹25,000 to each of the affected families from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund. Our first priority will be to stop the gas leak. The second priority will be to give compensation to the affected families,” he said.

In a statement following the incident, the ONGC said that it had, in close coordination with the district administration, undertaken the safe evacuation of the affected families, ensuring secure shelters, nutritious food, clean drinking water, and essential daily supplies.

The ONGC also established free round-the-clock medical camps, staffed with doctors and equipped with essential medicines, as part of its comprehensive emergency response, the statement said.

Published - June 17, 2025 10:51 pm IST