In Assam’s Baghjan area, an oil well that caught fire nearly three months ago is still burning. After several futile efforts to plug the le...
In Assam’s Baghjan area, an oil well that caught fire nearly three months ago is still burning. After several futile efforts to plug the leak, Oil India Limited has decided to try a different tack. It plans to “partially produce” natural gas from the well once again.
“A large amount of the gas coming out will directly be hooked on to a reproduction set-up near the well, and the rest of the gas will be flared,” said Tridiv Hazarika, the company’s spokesperson. “If we are successful, it will provide immediate relief to the local people as the fire and sound will disappear.”
Well number five at Baghjan had a blowout on May 27, when it started to leak natural gas and condensate uncontrollably. On June 9, the well caught fire. The blaze soon spread to the neighbouring area, an eco-sensitive zone replete with wetlands and tropical forests, burning down houses, fields and farms on its way, and killing two firefighters.
Months later, the well continues to expel fire accompanied by the loud humming noise of leaking gas. Thousands of people from neighbouring villages continue to live in relief camps.
Hopes of plugging the leakage appear to be increasingly bleak, admit Oil India Limited officials. All traditional methods have failed...
