Oil India Limited (OIL) is still battling the fire that broke out at its producing Baghjan oilfield in India's Tinsukia district following a blowout in late May.

Two company firefighters have lost their lives and another four workers have been injured as the operator tries to bring the blaze under control and cap the ill-fated Baghjan-5 well in the north-eastern state of Assam.

Remedial work over the past fortnight has been hampered by particularly heavy rains during this year's annual monsoon season with operations having to be suspended earlier this week after floodwaters, including from the overflowing Dangori River, inundated the area.

OIL has already had to enlist the help of the Indian Army to construct and maintain a floating bridge near the blazing well after flooding washed away a key access route.

Not only has the fire yet to be extinguished, the accident has raised questions over oil and gas operations near to households and in the vicinity of ecologically sensitive areas in Assam, the birthplace of India’s oil industry.

Two OIL employees have been suspended for alleged negligence of duty relating to blowout, which reportedly occurred during workover operations on the Baghjan-5 well.

"The company is carrying out an internal inquiry and we have placed two officials responsible for the well under suspension. Once the probe is over, we will take a final decision on their role," said OIL.

Experts from Singapore-based Alert Disaster Control have been on location since early June and are trying to stop the leaking gas and cap the well, although their efforts have been severely hampered by the weather.

Contractor Environmental Resources Management (ERM) was on 28 June monitoring air quality and noise levels as well as collecting water and soil samples on the Baghjan side of the waterlogged site.

Meanwhile, an ecological survey is being carried out in the Maguri grassland area and a consultation has been undertaken between ERM and a local ecology expert.

OIL noted that these studies will be continued until a week after the Baghjan-5 well has been successfully capped.

In tandem, the Energy & Resources Institute (TERI), a Delhi-based not-for-profit policy research organsation, is carrying out several studies including one on the bioremediation of sludge.

However, this particular study has been put on hold until the water levels recede in the earmarked locations.

“Debris removal activity has been resumed, which is one of the most critical components of (the) capping operation of the blowout well,” OIL said on 29 June.

However, flooding has severely damaged most of the connecting roads to the well site, resulting in delays to bringing in equipment and materials, including welding and cutting sets, generators and a bulldozer.

Repair work to the road infrastructure is being carried out on a “war footing" jointly by OIL and the Assam Public Works Department, the operator said.

Consignments of other kit have also been delayed in transit due to the heavy rain and heavy traffic jam en route, noted OIL.

The heavy rainfall and flooding is affecting the relief camps that have become the temporary homes for some 2500 locals affected by the incident.

Also, surveys for the assessment of damage for compensation by the committee constituted by the Tinsukia District Administration have been hindered by the monsoon weather.

More than 620 families affected by the blowout and fire had been surveyed as of 28 June.

Assam’s Pollution Control Board last week ordered OIL to close all production and drilling operations at its Baghjan oilfield and “take all necessary measures” to extinguish the fire, which has been burning since 9 June following the late May blowout.

Issuing the closure notice, the board claimed that the operator had “nonchalantly violated the provisions of law in force causing pollution to the environment”.

An OIL official told the Times of India: “We respect the Pollution Control Board but we are seeking legal recourse against the closure notice. OIL is not a fly-by-night operator. Its operations are very complex and we simply cannot close the valve and go away.”

India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed an eight-member committee of experts to investigate the blowout and fire, and the impact it has had on people, wildlife and the environment.

In an order passed via videoconference on 24 June, NGT instructed the operator to deposit 250 million rupees ($3.31 million) with the Tinsukia District Administration as interim compensation for the damage.

The Baghjan-5 oilfield is located near the Maguri Motapung Wetland and the Dibru Saikhowa National Park, which are home to several endangered species, including hoolock gibbons, Gangetic dolphins and some 400 species of birds.

The committee will assess the compensation for those affected by the incident and suggest preventive and remedial measures.

The tribunal has directed the committee to submit its preliminary report “as expeditiously as possible” and the NGT will next take up the matter on 29 July.

Locals have been protesting against OIL’s latest incident and the demonstrations and blockades at the company’s operations have led to production losses totalling 8832 tonnes (around 65,000 barrels) of oil and 11.38 million cubic metres of gas from 27 May to 28 June. OIL has been operating at the Baghjan oilfield for 19 years and has some 20 producing wells at the asset.

Safety

Monsoon rains slow efforts to contain Oil India fire in Assam