Baghjan blowout: First phase of final ops to cap oilfield successful

The first phase of the final operation to plug well number 5 at Oil India Limited (OIL)’s Baghjan oilfield in Assam’s Tinsukia district — where a blowout occurred in May — was successful on Monday after two failed attempts earlier.

OIL said in a statement that the Blowout Preventer (BOP) — a device essential to plug the leak — was successfully placed over the well head. “The 16 studs have also been tightened. The preparations for killing operations are on. The BOP and the lines connected to it are being kept cool through continuous spraying of water,” OIL said in a statement.

OIL officials confirm that the next stage of operations — which is “killing the well” or shutting it down completely — will follow.