NEW DELHI: Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyar on Thursday said 70 per cent of the crude production lost as a result of Wednesday's fire at the Bombay High North (BHN) platform would be restored in four weeks.

Making a suo motu statement in Parliament, he said the accident, in which 10 persons lost their lives, would immediately impact the crude production of 1,10,000 barrels a day. "The search for missing persons is continuing."

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Chairman Subir Raha constituted an internal enquiry committee to go into the causes of "this tragic accident" with the help of outside experts.

Mr. Aiyar extended his "deepest sympathies" to the bereaved families. The dead included six from the ONGC and one each from the multisupport vessel (MSV) and the drilling rig, NC Yester. Rehabilitation of the families would be "our duty."

Platform insured

The BHN platform was insured for $195 million and the MSV for $60 million under the ONGC's offshore package insurance policy.

Mr. Aiyar said the fire occurred at 4.05 p.m., resulting in the loss of the BHN processing platform. The ONGC's multisupport vessel `Samudra Suraksha,' under Shiping Corporation of India operation, was engaged in medical evacuation operation, when it lost control, drifted and collided with the platform, causing a major fire. The MSV was also engulfed in the blaze. Given the intensity of the fire and the consequent damage, the platform was abandoned, he said. This in keeping with a well-rehearsed abandonment drill in offshore operations. Personnel from the MSV were evacuated, except six divers, who were undergoing decompression treatment and were expected to survive. Personnel on board NC Yester were also evacuated. "The BHN platform was totally lost in less than two hours along with a Pawan Hans helicopter positioned on it," Mr. Aiyar said. He praised the ONGC for carrying out the prescribed safety drill.

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