GUWAHATI:
A controversial Assamese youth organisation has raised objections on Oil India ltd (OIL) awarding the contract for a new rig at Hapjan in Upper Assam’s Dibrugarh district to Gujarat-based private oil and gas drilling operator.
“We do not want a repeat of the Baghjan blowout tragedy in Hapajan. Oil India Ltd (OIL) should cancel its deal with John Energy Ltd immediately,” Veer Lachit Sena said in a memorandum to Dibrugarh deputy commissioner, Biswajit Pegu, on April 9.
Holding the private company responsible for the Baghjan oil blowout tragedy on June 9, 2020, the organisation alleged the company of polluting the environment, and held them responsible for the death of five persons and sufferings of more than 650 families in the area. They also alleged that the victims’ families were not provided with the relief and rehabilitation packages as assured by the oil company and Tinsukia district administration.
The OIL had awarded John Energy Ltd the contract for hiring the services of two 550 HP capacity workover rig packages and the value of which was Rs 55 crore for a period of three years.
Earlier on August 8, 2020, in its order on Baghjan oil blowout, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) had held John Energy Ltd responsible for the lapses that led to the blowout. The NGT had said that it was the contractor who had violated the laid-down procedures.
The blowout had taken place at well no 5 under Baghjan oilfield of OIL on May 27 2020 when an uncontrolled flow of natural gas and condensate occurred at the well without BOP in place, leading to complete loss of well control and blowout. On May 28, OIL had issued a show cause notice to John Energy Limited.
John Energy Ltd, however, in a written response to the show cause notice and subsequent correspondences, had denied any negligence on its part.
The blowout well had caught fire on June 9, in which two OIL employees had lost their lives and several others were injured. The fire was raging for several months affecting people in the surrounding villages.