Following the report of gas leakage while drilling the ground for borewell water at Pongma ward, Tizit Town, the Geology and Mining (G&M) department deputed its team to assess the extent of gas leakage.
In a report, G&M director Khikiya Rengma stated that the location where the gas leakage occurred was a private plot owned by Wangyim. The location with an altitude of 62m falls in the Singphan Oil Block (ONGC), the G&M department informed.
According to G&M report, drilling works started on September 12, 2023, but the emission of gas occurred on September 16, 2023. It stated that emission of gas occurred when the borehole was dug to about 140ft. The report stated that the workers in order to check whether the gas was flammable lit the gas, which was combustible in nature. The gas burned for nearly three hours.
However, the workers through the directive of SP Mon as per the advice of the G&M directorate, put off the fire by filling the borehole with sand on the same day.
Further, the report stated that as per the field observation on September 18, 2023, the gas leakage continued with hissing sound.
As per the gas detector instrument (Portable Voice Multi Gas Detector), the leakage shows the following readings: H2S-OPPM; CO-OPPM; 02-20.3 % and LEL->50%.
Since the measurement of gas shows >50% LEL (Lower Explosive Limit), which is highly explosive and since the release of methane gas is on the higher side, the department has advised the residents to keep distance from the leakage point.
The residents have also been advised not to dig any borehole within the perimeter of at least 50 Sq. feet. It has directed that borewell be filled with sand to contain the emission.
Meanwhile, G&M department informed that it would continue to monitor the gas emission for a week or two with the help of residence. Based on further observation, the hole may be permanently sealed.
The G&M team comprised of drilling engineer Er Toshiakum and assistant geologist Chingao Konyak.
Foothill areas of Nagaland is Geologically termed as “Belt of Schuppen”. It covers an area of approximately 3000 sq. Km from Mon district in the north to Peren district in the south.
These areas are the bearing zones of Oil, Gas and Coal. The reports of hydrocarbon gas leakage in this schuppen belt have been reported a number times in the past. This gas leakage indicates presence of Oil, Gas and Coal.