After 16 days of natural gas leakage from a crude oil well at Bhatiapar locality of Sivasagar in eastern Assam, the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had successfully capped the blowout at 11:15 am on 27 Jun 2025. The state-sponsored Maharatna company along with an expert team from USA continued working for full dousing of the RDS-147A under Rudrasagar oilfield and it was done with no casualty or injury to the response team while avoiding any ignition. Lauding the ONGC crisis management team, Union petroleum and natural gas minister Hardeep Singh Puri commented on a social media post that successful plugging of the blowout was made possible through ‘careful planning, international collaboration, and the exemplary competence’ of the team.
According to reports, the gas leakage started at 11:45 am following a powerful explosion during a zone transfer perforation conducted by SK Petro Services. ONGC issued a statement soon after, assuring that the situation was under control, with no injuries or fires reported. However, efforts to contain the high-pressure gas flow have continued for days, and the local administration relocated affected residents to a relief camp in Bhati Bongaon, equipped with necessary amenities. ONGC teams have also been pumping water from the Dikhou river to keep the rig cool and prevent the risk of fire. ONGC has emphasized that its crisis management team is actively engaged, with the operation being closely monitored by senior management.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited the site on 16 June and met with evacuees in the relief camp. The Chief Minister announced immediate financial assistance of ₹25,000 per affected family and called upon ONGC to work with urgency to control the gas flow. He subsequently wrote to Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri, underlining the importance of public safety. After a meeting with ONGC Chairman Arun Kumar Singh, the Chief Minister noted that the company had assured compensation for those affected, and that additional measures—including the possible permanent capping of the well—were being considered after initial containment plans did not succeed.
The incident has triggered protests from local organizations such as the Asomiya Yuba Manch, All Assam Tai Ahom Students’ Union, and Sangrami Sena, who have called for adequate compensation for losses, particularly to agriculture and public health. Senior politicians, including Assam Pradesh Congress Committee President Gaurav Gogoi and Raijor Dal President Akhil Gogoi, have visited the area, urging swift and transparent action.
In response to growing concerns, ONGC has brought in a team of international well-control experts from the United States to assist in capping the well. By 20 June, ONGC reported significant progress, stating that the volume of gas had reduced and was nontoxic, posing minimal risk to those living beyond a 500-meter radius. ONGC reiterated its commitment to safety, environmental responsibility, and community well-being, outlining its ongoing technical measures to stabilize the site.
Meanwhile, the All Assam Engineer’s Association (AAEA) has raised broader questions about oversight and accountability in the management of oil and gas wells, particularly those deemed ‘abandoned’ or no longer viable for state-run operations. The association has called for greater clarity and monitoring of such wells, regardless of whether they are managed by public or private entities, to ensure safety and accountability. AAEA also referenced the 2020 Baghjan blowout in Tinsukia, which caused significant environmental and human impact, as a reminder of the potential risks associated with oil and gas operations.
While lessons from past incidents have led to enhanced safety protocols and the engagement of international expertise, community concerns about transparency, long-term compensation, and environmental impacts remain. The situation in Bhatiapar underscores the complex challenges of balancing energy development, safety, and local well-being, and highlights the ongoing need for clear communication, technical rigor, and collaborative problem-solving between authorities, companies, and the affected communities.
