Barmer Oil Leak Finally Contained After Five-Day Struggle
In a significant development, the crude oil leak that erupted in a farmer's field in Barmer district, Rajasthan, was successfully plugged on Friday. This marks the end of a five-day ordeal that began on February 23, yet the source and exact cause of the breach remain shrouded in mystery, as Cairn Vedanta, the operating company, has yet to pinpoint the origin.
Precautionary Measures and Production Impact
To trace the elusive leak, Cairn Vedanta took drastic action by shutting down all 20 oil wells connected to its Aishwarya Wellpad-8. The site has been secured with tin sheds, and movement has been strictly restricted as a precautionary measure. This shutdown has had a tangible impact on production, with the company reporting a loss of approximately 5,000 barrels of oil. To put this into perspective, one barrel equals 160 litres, highlighting the scale of the disruption.
Conflicting Theories on the Cause
The cause of the leak is a point of contention. Local villagers have pointed fingers at an alleged blast carried out on February 24, suggesting human activity as the culprit. In contrast, company officials have proposed a natural explanation. They cite a 3.2 magnitude earthquake recorded by the National Seismological Centre, with an epicentre located far from the oil areas and at a depth of 5 km. Officials noted that the average drilling depth in the region is only 2 km, implying the quake's deeper impact might have triggered the seepage.
Response and Cleanup Efforts
Mukesh Mathrani, the company's media manager, stated, "The leakage stopped after seeping," and revealed that pipeline sections will now be inspected "one by one" to identify the exact well of origin. The leak initially began around noon on February 23. In response, a technical team dug a 100-metre-long trench to channel the flow into a pit, from where the oil was pumped into tankers and relocated. Additionally, crude layers in the field were covered with soil to mitigate environmental damage.
Ongoing Investigation and Implications
With over 20 oil wells at the Aishwarya Wellpad, the incident underscores the challenges in managing extensive oil operations. The company's inability to quickly identify the source raises questions about monitoring and safety protocols. As inspections continue, the focus remains on preventing future occurrences and assessing the full environmental and economic fallout from this prolonged leak.
