Another Gas Leakage at Baghjan Oil Field, Locals Lodge FIR Against OIL

Locals of Baghjan in Assam’s Tinsukia district on Thursday filed an FIR against Oil India Limited (OIL) after an incident of gas condensate discharge was reported from an oil well.

Along with the locals, various organizations have also filed FIRs against OIL.

Reportedly, on Wednesday, panic gripped Baghjan area after uncontrollable gas condensate discharge from an oil well owned by OIL.

According to official information, a technical issue caused the gas leakage at a suction pipe on the surface level of the BGI well in Baghjan. 

OIL public relations officer Bhairab Bhuyan confirming the development stated that a technical glitch was detected as the well was being set up for production, which resulted in gas leaking. After sealing the well, the leakage was immediately stopped by technical specialists, according to Bhuyan.

Residents of the area have urged the government to halt all drilling activities until safety precautions are taken in the region.

The incident that occurred on Wednesday took place around three years after the Baghjan blowout of May 2020. Well no. 5 at Baghjan had been spewing gas uncontrollably since May 27, 2020 and caught fire on June 9 killing two of OIL's firefighters.

The Supreme Court, in August 2021 gave its verdict on the Baghjan issue where they proposed 6 new committees with 4 members each.

Earlier, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had appealed the Supreme Court challenging it's hearing on Baghjan. Minutes of an Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) meeting of the environment ministry, held in February 2017, show that OIL had requested that it be granted permission to use the earlier public hearings.

Also Read: OIL Signs Agreement with Assam Govt for Exploration in Brahmaputra’s North Bank