DIBRUGARH, Nov 5 - The snubbing unit brought from Calgary, Canada on Wednesday evening reached Baghjan well site. With all equipment and accessories related to the snubbing operation in place at site, arrangement for placing the snubbing unit is in progress. It is expected that after completion of all necessary pre-operation activities, the well killing operation by the snubbing unit will commence within next couple of days.
The flow of gas from the well to the nearby EPS (early production setup) at Baghjan is being maintained with all operating parameters within desired level and safety measures in place. This was stated today by OIL spokesman Tridiv Hazarika. While the final assessment report of the impacted families that has been carried out by the office of Deputy Commissioner, Tinsukia and the directive of National Green Tribunal (NGT) are yet to be received, OIL on the basis of the interim recommendations of the NGT and discussions with DC, Tinsukia has till date released an amount of Rs 36.90 crore as compensation to the affected people.
This includes an interim relief of Rs 10.93 crore to 3,000 families who had stayed in relief camps. Moreover, an amount of Rs 25 lakh was paid to each of the 12 families whose houses were damaged the most in the fire on June 9, 2020 and Rs 10 lakh each to 57 families whose houses were also damaged in the fire.
A total of 561 families, whose houses or whose standing crops and horticulture have been partially damaged, also received Rs 2.5 lakh each as compensation from the oil exploration company.
As on date, OIL has deposited all the compensation and relief amounts as mandated by the government/statutory authorities. Moreover as discussed with the Tinsukia DC, OIL has agreed to release an amount of Rs 50,000 each to 1,289 families every month to take care of their livelihood expenses till the well is brought under control.
Meanwhile, a total of 46,786 metric tonnes of crude oil and 124.15 million metric standard cubic metre of natural gas have been lost till date as a result of protests/blockades/bandhs in and around the Baghjan area since May 27 due to the blowout.
