KG gas leak could hit ONGC output

Aleakage in a deepwater well in the Krishna Godavari basin operated by Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) over the last two months could delay the state-owned explorer's hydrocarbon production from the field.

ONGC has sought help from the coast guard, navy and operators in adjacent blocks such as Reliance Industries and BP to control the leak in the well named G 1-9. The damaged well was originally expected be put in production next year.

The planned production from the well was estimated at 2.7 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) of gas and 9,400 barrels of oil. The well has been leaking gas since August and despite efforts made by the company, they have not been able to contain the spill. It is estimated that around 0.1 million metric standard cubic meters per day (mmscmd) of gas has spewed from the well so far.

"The well was completed and temporarily abandoned around 2-3 years back. But somehow it failed. We have ordered for capping the well but the supplier doesn't have any inventory of well caps," a senior ONGC official said requesting anonymity.

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