Question : Fire at OIL Oilfield

(a) whether there was any violation of norms while drilling close to forest areas considering an occurrence at Oil India Limited’s (OIL) oilfield in Baghjan, Assam, if so, the details thereof;

(b) the details of estimated loss of oil/gas in terms of volume and value;

(c) the data of the accidents/mishap incidents at oil and gas fields during the last three years as of today;

(d) whether any assessment was carried out to assess the damage to natural flora and fauna due to accidental leakages and other such accidents, if so, the details thereof for the last three years and the current year;

(e) whether the Government has plans to review the rules and regulation set for safety and security of people employed in oil-gas fields; and

(f) whether the Government has accepted the recommendations of the Standing Committee’s report on ‘Safety, Security and Environmental Aspects in Petroleum Sector’ to minimize such hazards and form a Unified Safety Board, if so, the steps taken in this regard?

MINISTER OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) Oil India Limited’s (OIL) oilfields in Baghjan, Assam are located at non-forest land and there were no violations.

(b) One of the wells of Oil India Ltd, Baghjan-5, in which blowout occured, was producing about 80,000 million standard cubic meters (MMSCMD) gas before it was put under workover. The blowout at well resulted in closure of a number of producing oil & gas wells, in and around Baghjan due to protest staged by local people. The closures of producing wells has resulted in an estimated revenue loss of about Rs. 148 Cr to the company during the period from 27.05.2020 to 08.09.2020.The revenue loss due to gas burning uncontrollably into the atmosphere from the blowout well could not be ascertained as no measurement was possible due to fire and extreme heat.

(c) Number of the accidents/mishap incidents at oil and gas fields during the last three years reported to Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), are given below:

Sector 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20
Oil Fields/Wells/Platforms 30 25 21


(d) M/s The Energy Resources Institute (TERI) has been engaged for Ambient Air Quality (AAQ) monitoring and Bio-remediation, North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) for Seismological Study and IIT, Guwahati for heat impact through Thermal Imaging. OIL has also engaged M/s ERM India Pvt. Limited, to carry out detailed Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) study to assess the damage to the neighbouring Environment including flora & fauna and suggest for suitable mitigation measures.
(e) Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas regularly monitors and reviews various safety measures in the oil and gas sector and directs the companies from time to time to take suitable measures to ensure safety. .Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD), a technical Directorate of Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas formulates safety standards for Oil & Gas Industry. The Directorate carries out regular safety audits.Safety and security of people employed in gas oil fields is of prime importance. In order to prevent such accidents in future, and ensure safety of employees, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) are updated regularly.
(f) Government is sensitive towards safety, security and environmental aspects in petroleum sector and is taking necessary action in this regard from time to time.


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