Gas leak at ONGC facility in Andhra Pradesh, company says situation being controlled

New Delhi, Jan 5 (BVI) A major gas leak occurred today at an oil well operated by the government-run Oil and Natural Gas (ONGC) Limited in Konaseema district of Andhra Pradesh, triggering panic in the village where the facility is located and some adjoining areas.

Along with the gas leak, a blaze erupted at the site in Irusumanda village which led to creation of thick clouds of smoke in the skies of the area.

ONGC said “no injury or loss of life has been reported” and that it has activated emergency services to control the situation.

The mishap took place during repair work at a rig, with a powerful blowout releasing a massive volume of gas mixed with crude oil, which shot high into the air.

“Incident of gas leak during the workover operations at Well Mori#5 was informed by the PEC Operator Deep Industries Limited, for the Mori Field in Andhra Pradesh on 5 January 2026.

“The well is located in a remote area with no human habitation within a radius of approximately 500–600 metres,” ONGC said in a statement.

“The area has been cordoned off, cooling operations commenced, and ONGC has mobilised the Crisis Management Teams (CMT and RCMT). Preparatory work is in progress to facilitate well-control and, if required, capping of the well,” it added.

“ONGC has also initiated coordination with international well-control specialists, including mobilisation arrangements to support advanced well-control and casing-cutting operations, subject to site assessment,” the statement said.

The ONGC said its senior management and technical experts are closely monitoring the situation, with additional equipment being mobilised from nearby locations, including Narsapuram.

Further updates will be shared as the situation evolves, it said. (BVI)