Snubbing Unit From Canada Reaches Baghjan

Canada's snubbing unit, which was being brought to douse the Baghjan fire, has finally reached the site on Wednesday evening. It reached Kolkata on October 23 and was enroute the blowout site via road.

Equipment and accessories related to Snubbing Operation are at place and arrangement for placing the snubbing unit is in progress.

According to a press release issued by Oil India Limited (OIL), the well killing operation will commence within the next couple of days after completion of all necessary pre operation activities. It added that the flow of gas from the well to nearby Early Production Setup (EPS) at Bhagjan is being maintained with the operating parameters within desired level and safety measures in place.

The press release further stated that OIL, on the basis of interim recommendations of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and discussions with the Deputy Commissioner of Tinsukia, an amount of Rs 36.90 crores as compensation was disbursed to impacted families of Baghjan. It includes an interim relief of Rs 10.93 crores to almost 3000 families who had stayed in relief camps. An amount of Rs 25 lakhs were also paid to 12 families whose houses have suffered the most as well as Rs 10 lakhs to 57 families whose houses were damaged during the fire.

Additionally, at least 561 families received Rs 2.5 lakh each whose houses or standing crops and horticulture were partially damaged. OIL has also agreed to disburse an amount of Rs 50,000 to 1289 families every month till the well is brought under control.

The final assessment report of the impacted families however is yet to be received.

Furthermore, the press release pointed out that a total of 46,786 Metric Tonnes of Crude Oil and 124.15 Million Metric St. Cubic Meter of Natural Gas were lost till date due to protests and blockades in and around Baghjan area since the blowout.

On May 27, 2020, the natural gas producing well number five of OIL at Baghjan had witnessed a blowout, leading to a massive explosion on June 9. Three employees of OIL have lost their lives since the blowout.

On October 29, Piston Well Services Inc of Alberta in Canada said it would conduct emergency snubbing services at the blowout well. The equipment weighing 59,000 kg was brought to Baghjan by an An-124 (Antonov) aircraft, the largest civilian transport aircraft and the heaviest in the world.