Gas Leak at OIL Well Revives Safety Fears

Panic spread across Nagajan village in Assam’s Dibrugarh district on Thursday, May 1st, after a high-pressure gas leak was reported at Oil India Limited’s (OIL) well number 309 in the Lankasi-Kothalguri area. The incident began around 4:30 PM with a loud hissing sound and gas spewing into the air, prompting fears of a potential explosion.

Emergency response teams from OIL were quickly dispatched, and after an intensive eight-hour operation, the uncontrolled leak was successfully contained by 1:00 AM on Friday. No casualties or property damage were reported.

The cause of the leak was traced to a mechanical failure in the casing valve. Engineers under tight security worked through the night to “kill” the well—halting the uncontrolled gas flow—and replaced the faulty valve, preventing the highly flammable gas from igniting.

“Our teams responded immediately after reports came in. With high-pressure gas escaping rapidly, our first priority was to secure the area and eliminate any ignition risks while containment work was underway,” said a senior OIL official.

The incident has reignited public concerns over oilfield safety in Assam, especially in light of the catastrophic Baghjan blowout in 2020. While this event was contained without escalation, it highlights the ongoing risks associated with oil and gas extraction in the region.

OIL released an official statement on May 2nd confirming the leak and the response timeline:
“A shut-in gas well in Lankasi-Kothalguri reported a leakage at around 4:30 PM on May 1st. Preliminary assessment indicated a mechanical issue in the casing valve. The well was subdued and the component replaced by 1:00 AM on May 2nd. There was no harm to life or property. OIL remains committed to maintaining the highest safety standards.”

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