ONGC Gas Blowout Rages in Andhra for Second Day, Experts Roped In

A massive gas blowout at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) Mori-5 well in Andhra Pradesh’s Dr BR Ambedkar Konaseema district continued unabated for the second consecutive day on Tuesday, prompting the deployment of specialised crisis-management teams and consultations with international well-control experts.

Flames rising over 100 feet into the air sent thick plumes of black smoke across parts of Razole town, forcing authorities to impose emergency restrictions and launch high-level technical operations. Firefighting teams worked through the night to cool the wellhead and prevent the blaze from spreading to nearby coconut plantations and aquaculture ponds.

A specialised team from ONGC’s crisis management unit in Delhi is arriving this morning to take charge of the “well-control” operation. Fire crews are currently employing a “water umbrella” technique, using high-pressure pipes sourced from Narsapuram to spray water from four sides. The method is aimed at lowering the temperature of the wellhead and containing the fire within the immediate site.

District Collector R Mahesh Kumar said the well sits on an insulated geological layer estimated to hold 30–40 million tonnes of reserves. Officials warned that if underground pressure does not subside by this afternoon, authorities may proceed with mechanical capping a complex and high-risk operation that could take several days to complete.

As a precaution, the district administration has declared a strict “No-Go Zone” within a one-kilometre radius of the site. More than 600 residents around 300 families from Irusumanda and neighbouring villages have been evacuated to relief camps. A “loudspeaker alert” has also been issued across a five-kilometre radius, advising residents to avoid using electrical appliances, gas stoves or open flames due to the risk of ignition from gas pockets in the air. Schools in the affected area have been shut for the next 48 hours.

The incident occurred at around 12:20 pm on Monday during “production enhancement” work at the well, which had previously been abandoned and was being reactivated by ONGC’s contractor, Deep Industries Ltd. According to officials, technical teams were carrying out perforation operations at a depth of 2.7 kilometres when a sudden surge in pressure triggered a blowout of a gas-and-crude-oil mixture. The escaping hydrocarbons ignited minutes later.

ONGC said it immediately isolated the site and activated its crisis-management protocol. Cooling operations are underway, while preparations are being made for advanced well-control measures and possible capping. International specialists have been contacted to assist with high-risk operations such as casing-cutting, as simply shutting off valves is not feasible due to the extreme pressure. Officials said the response follows standard procedure for a Category-1 blowout, similar to the Pasarlapudi incident in 1995.

Fire services and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) teams are deploying nitrogen tankers and heavy water monitors to maintain a continuous water curtain over the site to prevent the wellhead from overheating or warping. Authorities cautioned that the fire may persist until underground pressure drops or the pipeline system collapses, but maintained that there is no immediate threat of the blaze spreading beyond the containment zone.

District Superintendent of Police Rahul Meena told media that no injuries or casualties have been reported, noting that the well is located nearly 600 metres from the nearest habitation. Workers present at the site said a white, fog-like gas had spread across nearby coconut groves shortly before the fire erupted, enabling the timely evacuation of personnel.

Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has been briefed on the situation and directed the district administration to prioritise the safety of farming and aquaculture communities in the Konaseema delta. Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan also reviewed the situation, instructing officials to ensure public safety, prevent panic and curb the spread of rumours, while ensuring adequate medical care and basic supplies for those in relief camps.

Local MP Ganti Harish Balayogi, who visited the site, said the intensity of the flames and the noise from the well had reduced compared to the previous day. Officials confirmed that containment efforts are continuing round-the-clock to bring the situation fully under control.

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