Due to cyclonic weather, ONGC has kept capping operations to stop flow of gas from its east coast field on temporary halt.

“As soon as the weather improves, the capping of the well would be taken up,” the public sector oil & gas producer said in a statement.

The company said the observed leakage was only of gas, which is insignificant and is localised within a very limited area. “It has not caused any environmental damage. ONGC vessels have noticed normal fauna (bird and fish) activity around the area,” the company said.

Normally, gas is non-polluting to the marine environment, it said, adding that as a measure of precaution, the company had informed the Andhra Pradesh Pollution Control Board, Oil Industry Safety Directorate, the Coast Guard and the Navy.

The company said after noticing the leakage, it had initiated immediate action and the debris accumulated around the X-Mas Tree (well-head production equipment) had already been cleared in preparation for capping activities. Further, the custom-made capping stack had been prepared and transported offshore.

richa.mishra@thehindu.co.in

Related Topics