Daijiworld Media Network - Amaravati
Amaravati, Jan 8: The blaze at the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) Mori-5 well in Andhra Pradesh’s Dr B. R. Ambedkar Konaseema district entered its fourth day on Thursday, with officials reporting steady progress in containment operations.
Specialised ONGC teams remain engaged in controlling the blowout at the well located in Irusumanda village of Malkipuram mandal. With the intensity of the fire showing a noticeable decline, personnel have been able to move nearly 10 metres closer to the wellhead to execute the planned blowout control measures.
Fire services continue to spray water to keep temperatures in check, although officials cautioned that complete extinguishment may take several more days. ONGC stated on Wednesday that substantial headway has been made, with focused efforts underway at the Mori-5 well, which is operated by PEC contractor Deep Industries.
According to the company, fire intensity, noise levels, and surrounding heat have all reduced significantly. In view of the controlled situation and minimal risk of further escalation, the district administration has permitted residents of nearby areas to resume their routine activities.
ONGC’s Crisis Management Team is carrying out operations strictly in line with the approved blowout control plan. An access road has been constructed at the rear of the wellsite to aid debris removal, and necessary equipment and logistics have been positioned to ensure a systematic cleanup.
A water blanket has also been created around the well to facilitate safe debris clearance near the wellhead and to support the next phase of operations, which involves capping the well as per the action plan.
The incident occurred on Monday afternoon when crude oil mixed with gas suddenly erupted during repair work using a workover rig, after the well had been temporarily shut down. The powerful blowout sent a towering plume of gas and oil into the air, while dense clouds of smoke engulfed Irusumanda and nearby villages, triggering widespread panic.
As a precaution, more than 500 residents were evacuated to relief camps. Following improvement in conditions and advice from the district administration, all displaced villagers have since returned to their homes.