ONGC caps Assam Gas well blowout

Sivasagar

The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) successfully capped a gas well blowout at its Rudrasagar oilfield in Assam’s Sivasagar district after a 15-day-long operation, officials confirmed on Friday.

The incident occurred at Well No. RDS-147A and prompted the precautionary evacuation of around 1,500 villagers from nearby areas due to the potential threat posed by the uncontrolled gas release. The capping operation was completed at 11:15 a.m. on June 27 through the coordinated efforts of ONGC’s crisis management teams, officials from the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and specialists from a U.S.-based international agency.

The operation marked the culmination of intense planning, logistical coordination, and technical execution to seal the well safely without any casualties or further environmental damage. ONGC’s swift response and deployment of global experts played a crucial role in preventing the situation from escalating.

Earlier, residents living beyond 500 metres from the well site were advised it was safe to return home, as gas emissions had been brought under control. Monitoring systems continue to be in place to assess the post-capping conditions.

Union Minister for Petroleum Hardeep Singh Puri was briefed about the successful operation and appreciated the efforts taken to mitigate the crisis. The incident once again highlights the need for stringent safety protocols and rapid emergency response frameworks in oil and gas exploration zones, especially in ecologically sensitive regions like Assam. Authorities have assured continued vigilance and a thorough investigation into the cause of the blowout.