20000414

All set to douse

fire at Bobi well

in Sanghar dist

ISLAMABAD: All necessary arrangements including the airlifting of specialised equipment from Dubai and Housten, have been finalised to launch a full-fledged operation to control the fire at Bobi well in Sanghar.

"The full-fledged operation, being launched with the cooperation of a Singapore-based agency, 'Alert Disaster Control,' will start on Thursday," sources at OGDCL told APP.

The sources said the specialised equipment airlifted from Houston and Dubai two days back have been installed at the site of fire, while other required resources, moved from other oil fields of the country, where already made available at the site.

The extinguishing of fire at Bobi well will take seven to 10 days time approximately, the sources said, adding, however, "the task may complete within a week time".

According to the sources, in addition to local administration and authorities, some 200 to 300 army troops have also been deployed in the area as part of the arrangements.

Earlier, it was decided not to extinguish fire deliberately as the uncontrolled hydrocarbon, if left unburnt, would have been more hazardous for the surroundings. Accordingly, the extinguishing of fire was deferred till the capping of well.

By evening of April 6, (the day when Bobi well caught fire) a team of senior officials headed by an executive director reached the site, assessed the situation and consulted the authorities to seek outside expertise.

Accordingly the Alert Disaster Control, one of the companies which controlled the well fire in Kuwait, reached the site on April 7 and prepared a 15 days programme to control the well.

At present, the fire is contained in a small area and cordoned off by an earthen 'bund' of 200x200 metres, the sources said.

Bobi well No 6, the sources explained, was on production when caught fire in the early hours on April 6, due to leakage or tempering of control valve by some person. However, the factual position will be established through an inquiry, the sources added.

The District administration, police and army authorities offered and extended all material and manpower assistance to OGDCL.

Sources stated that there are no villages or population close to the well. There were only four huts about 500 to 800 metres away from the well, which were advised to move out as a precautionary measures.

No other evacuation was either ordered or undertaken, as it was not required at any stage. The reports regarding evacuation were totally unfounded and baseless, sources said.

The district administration of Khairpur, Sanghar, police officials and army authorities responsed promptly and extended assistance to OGDCL, the sources added.ÑAPP