Tengratila gas field suffers another blowout, 1st Ld

Tengratila gas field, being developed by Canadian Niko Resources under a joint venture with state-run BAPEX, suffered yet another blowout early Friday resulting in a massive fire in the afternoon.[1st Ld]

Sunamganj, June 24 (BDNEWS) – Tengratila gas field, being developed by Canadian Niko Resources under a joint venture with state-run BAPEX, suffered yet another blowout early Friday resulting in a massive fire in the afternoon.

No casualty or injury was reported. However, people moved to safety after Niko rang alarm asking them not to remain within two kilometres of the accident spot.

Officials and employees of Niko and Parker that provided the rig for drilling also left the place. Police kept the entire place cordoned off.

Earlier on January 7, the gas field witnessed a massive explosion and fire. The second accident took place before the compensation was made for the first one.

Energy Secretary KMM Zafrullah Khan and Bangladesh Petroleum Exploration and Production Company Limited (BAPEX) Acting Managing Director M Jamaluddin were on the spot to oversee the situation.

People engaged in drilling could not clarify, but experts said the accident took place due to delay in drilling the relief well.

Newly appointed Energy Advisor Mahmudur Rahman has said an enquiry committee will be formed within a couple of days.

The committee will determine the responsibility of Niko, besides finding if BAPEX had any failure.

One source close to the Parker informed that gas started to come out of casing in the drilling area at about 1am Friday.

The first accident took place at 2:40am after a bid to check gas pressure by increasing density of mud failed, he said.

By that time the depth of relief well reached 433 meters. The drilling of relief well had started on May 31.

No major fire was reported after the latest accident early Friday. But a big fire engulfed the drilling area at about 1:05pm.

"Despite heavy downpour, the flame reached 80 to 120 feet," said a spot account.

All machinery, including the costly rig, either went beneath the soil or were burnt.

Angry people assaulted Niko's chief security officer and a communication official although others could escape from the wrath.

The first accident in Tengratila took place on January 7. An enquiry committee blamed wrong drilling design of Niko and lack of monitoring by the BAPEX for the accident.

The enquiry committee also found that one BCF (billion cubic feet) gas was burnt in the explosion.

The Energy Secretary has assured local people that they will get the compensation.

BAPEX Managing Director was optimistic that the fire could be brought under control within 2-3 days.

BDNEWS/2106 hrs