Mumbai, July 21 -- Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has sealed the site of a low-intensity gas bubbling incident at Napam Baruwati in the Geleki field in Assam's Sivasagar district and the situation is now stable and under control. The company reported that the bubbling was localised to a single spot and had been observed for nearly a week prior to containment. A multidisciplinary team of experts was deployed immediately to assess the site and implement safety measures.
The affected area was barricaded and kept under continuous surveillance while methane concentrations were monitored with hand-held gas detectors, which registered very low levels. A detailed technical investigation was carried out, including verification of pipeline drawings and a physical survey of the location using underground pipeline-locating equipment. The investigations ruled out the presence of any buried pipeline beneath or in the vicinity of the affected spot.
To permanently suppress the bubbling, ONGC excavated the site and applied a chemical barite treatment followed by a cement-concrete mixture to seal the pit on Monday. The company reported that the gas bubbling subsided after treatment and that no immediate cause for concern remained. Monitoring and safety protocols will continue as a precaution while authorities maintain oversight.
Technical teams performed repeated checks and maintained records of gas readings and site observations to ensure the integrity of the remedial work. The operation was described as targeted and proportionate, with measures taken to prevent any recurrence and to protect nearby populations and infrastructure. The response was carried out without reported injuries and with measures to safeguard assets in the area.
Local officials and company representatives will continue periodic inspections and surveillance of the area to confirm sustained stability. Follow-up monitoring will inform any further action and authorities will maintain the surveillance regime until readings and inspections consistently indicate no risk of recurrence.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Construction World.