The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : Rig collapses during dismantling

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Wednesday, Jun 16, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

Rig collapses during dismantling

By R. Jagadeeswara Rao

RAJAHMUNDRY, JUNE 15. The BHEL-manufactured drilling rig of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation-E-2000-1, installed at Lingala in West Godavari district collapsed while it was being dismantled on Monday.

"It was a major disaster. Such a mishap has never taken place in the history of ONGC. Fortunately there were no casualties," a shocked employee said at the site. Confirming the mishap, ONGC sources here said that the 150 ft.- high structure had collapsed "like a pack of cards" when the steel ropes snapped.

Sources revealed that the top structure of the rig was completely damaged and could not be used again. However, the damage to the base of the rig was minimal. The loss was put at Rs. 1.5 crores. The rig cost Rs. 6 crores, but its present value would be about Rs. 20 crores. In all, the ONGC has deployed seven rigs for drilling in the KG (Krishna Godavari) Project, which are shifted to different sites as per requirement.

The rig in question had completed its operations at Lingala and was being dismantled for deployment at another site, when the accident occurred. It is learnt that the ONGC has ordered an enquiry into the incident. Sources however assert that it was not a human error. The steel ropes, which had snapped, were supposed to be regularly inspected. A probe will reveal whether such an inspection was carried out. According to the sources, spare parts for the rigs too are not easily available.

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