A leakage has been detected at ONGC’s Mumbai Uran Trunk (MUT) oil pipeline at 0845 hours this morning. The leakage was observed 2 Kms from BPB platform (Bassein oil and gas field) in western offshore, 80 kms from Mumbai coast.
The Regional Contingency Plan (which is the existing emergency response measure) has been activated immediately on detection of the leak.
FODAG (Flag Officer Defence Advisory Group) and Coast Guard have been informed. National Oil Spill Disaster Contingency Plan is also being activated by Coast Guard to ensure minimum damage to environment.
ONGC has mobilised the pipeline repair vessel including three Multi Support Vessels to the site to ascertain the extent of leakage for containment and repair. The initial assessment of extent of oil spill is about one mile long.
The oil and gas production from Mumbai High is being diverted to the ICP-Heera Uran Trunk (HUT) pipeline. Connected oil and gas wells are being closed for safety reasons. The production loss may last for about three hours only. Due to these interim measures, a loss of 25,000 barrels is anticipated. The MUT currently pumps 2,12,000 bopd.
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Source: ONGC, January 21, 2011; Image: RIL