Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC), in close coordination with international well-control specialists from CUDD Pressure Control, achieved a key breakthrough today in its ongoing control operations at Well RDS#147A, in Assam’s Sivasagar district, and hopes to successfully cap the well by tomorrow.
The team successfully cleared all remaining rig materials, including staircases, entangled wires, and other structural components.
A statement issued by the ONGC said that this critical step culminated in the safe removal and dragging out of the rig substructure, thereby creating clear access to the wellhead and enabling preparations for the upcoming snubbing operation, an essential part of the final well control process.
“Arrangements for the deployment of snub lines and other preparatory activities are now underway. This phase will include the careful removal of the existing Blowout Preventer (BOP), followed by the installation of a replacement unit as part of the well-capping strategy,” the statement said.
“In a carefully planned and precisely executed operation, ONGC successfully connected hydraulic lines to the existing BOP to pressurise the unit and operate the rams. The fact that this was accomplished without any visible increase in gas discharge stands as a strong validation of ONGC’s technical assessment and strategic foresight. The operation unfolded exactly as anticipated, reflecting the depth of planning, accurate pressure analysis, and the disciplined execution that have guided ONGC’s well control efforts throughout,” it said.
Adding to the momentum, favourable weather conditions throughout the day enabled the teams to maximise their productivity.
The ONGC team worked in close coordination to leverage the dry weather window and execute key tasks with high efficiency.
“In another positive development, the Dikhow River has shown a receding trend, reducing the immediate threat of flooding and supporting site accessibility and logistics,” the statement said adding that with steady progress and a focused operational roadmap, ONGC is optimistic about completing the snubbing operation before sundown on Friday.
