GUWAHATI: The theft of an X-mass tree from the top of an oil well of Oil India Ltd (OIL) led to an uncontrolled flow of fluid (mainly water) from the well in Upper Assam’s Duliajan since Thursday midnight.
The gas leak, combined with the release of natural gases, has plunged the surrounding area into a state of emergency. Fire tenders were immediately dispatched to the site, and ongoing efforts were focused on gaining control over the situation.
OIL authorities described it as “miscreant activities” saying that miscreants vandalised the well resulting in an uncontrolled flow of well fluids, mainly water.
“Reportedly, miscreants have completely cut and stolen the entire X-Mass tree above the adapter of OIL’s well no NHK-67 at Gazal Basti near Duliajan leading to uncontrolled flow of well fluids, mainly water, from the wellhead. The incident was reported at around 9:30 pm on October 19,” a spokesperson of OIL said.
‘Christmas’ or X-mass’ trees are vital pieces of equipment for oil and gas projects. They are used not only for extraction but also for water injection or disposal and gas injection.
“It is equipment placed on the top of an oil well, looks like an X-mass tree and regulates the pressure inside the well,” he said.
OIL has lodged an FIR with the Duliajan Police Station and informed the district administration in this regard, he said.
Located within a depleted reservoir in Bordubi area, the well was said to have been in shut-in condition since 2016.
“The Crisis Management Team (CMT) of Oil India Ltd has been mobilised, while the fire tenders have been stationed at the site and necessary measures are being taken up on an emergent basis to cap the well. An on-site task force is coordinating the activities on the ground to control the water flow, cap and restore the well in close coordination with the local authority,” he further said.
“OIL has declared an emergency on Friday after the incident and the executives and employees of the oil company, who have applied for leaves (including station leaves) have been asked not to proceed and remain in the station till further advice,” he added.
