Gas or water? Leak at Oil India’s Duliajan oil well; Locals say its gas, officials say water

Copy edited by Lipika Roy

Is Duliajan in Assam facing the risk of another Baghjan-like gas leak catastrophe? A huge explosion at Oil India Limited’s oil well number 367 near Dirial Tea Estate in Duliajan last night created panic in the area and prompted locals to rush out of their homes looking for safety bringing back dark memories of the Baghjan fire disaster of 2020 killing one young engineer.

Locals informed that the well number 367 has been continuously spewing gas since last night after the explosion and since then, they have been living in constant fear and not even turning on the stove fearing that the possible gas leak could cause their houses to catch fire. They are on biscuits and water, they said.

After locals informed the Oil India authorities about the leak, the officials initially dispatched a medical team and fire tenders to ensure safety of the people. It also announced a state of emergency in the area.

While, locals claim that it is gas leaking, OIL spokesman Bhairob Bhuyan told Northeast Live that no gas is leaking, it is just water that is coming out and till now the situation is not dangerous.

Bhairob Bhuyan said, “The well number 367 was drilled and completed but it was not producing any oil or gas. However, last night at around 9 pm we were informed about the explosion. The explosion has occurred due to miscreant activity. We have tested, no gas or hydrocarbon is leaking from the well. It is just water flowing with high pressure. However, all necessary measures have been taken from our side to prevent any untoward incident leading damage to the locals.”

Official sources of Oil India Limited informed that the leak in the oil well is due to cutting of the Christmas tree by some miscreants. Oil officials and technicians are working to control the spill.

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