**Executive Summary**
This document is an official response to Unstarred Question No. 79 in Lok Sabha, concerning an ONGC oil well blowout in Andhra Pradesh, which occurred on January 5, 2026. The response details the incident, safety measures in place, and actions taken. The incident was resolved on January 10, 2026.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Incident Details**
* On January 5, 2026, a gas leak and fire occurred at ONGC's Mori-5 field in Andhra Pradesh during a workover operation.
* The well was operated by Deep Exploration Services Private Ltd. (DESPL) under a 15-year Production Enhancement Contract (PEC) since April 3, 2025.
* ONGC successfully controlled the fire and subdued the well by January 10, 2026 (within 5 days).
* No loss of life or injury was reported.
* **Safety Measures and Inspections**
* Regular safety audits and inspections are conducted by Statutory Authorities like the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS).
* DGMS inspected Workover Rig DR-11 in November 2025.
* The PEC includes safeguards to ensure the contractor's accountability and responsibility for safety and environmental protection.
* Corrections are implemented based on lessons from previous incidents.
**Impact Analysis**
**ONGC and DESPL (Private Contractor)**
* **Impact**: Subject to scrutiny regarding operational safety and adherence to regulations. Potential impact on future contracts and operational autonomy.
* **Action Required**: Maintain rigorous safety standards, comply with regulatory inspections, and implement corrective measures based on learnings.
**Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS)**
* **Impact**: Responsible for ongoing safety audits and inspections.
* **Action Required**: Continue regular inspections and ensure compliance with safety regulations.
**Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas**
* **Impact**: Has oversight of ONGC operations and is responsible for answering parliamentary questions regarding incidents.
* **Action Required**: Monitor ONGC's adherence to safety protocols and ensure transparency in reporting.
Key Entities Referenced
ONGC: Oil and Natural Gas Corporation, the central organization involved in the oil well blowout and its supervision.
Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas: The government ministry responsible for matters related to petroleum and natural gas, including oversight and response to incidents like the oil well blowout.
Andhra Pradesh: The state where the ONGC oil well blowout occurred, defining the geographical scope of the incident and response.
Production Enhancement Contract (PEC): The agreement under which a private contractor was operating the ONGC field where the incident occurred.
Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS): Statutory authority responsible for conducting safety audits/inspections.
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 79
TO BE ANSWERED ON 29TH JANUARY, 2026
ONGC Oil Well Blowout in Andhra Pradesh
79. Shri Maddila Gurumoorthy:
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ी
Will the Minister of PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS be pleased to state:
a) Whether the Government is aware that the oil well blowout in Andhra Pradesh occurred
during operations carried out by a private contractor under ONGC supervision, if so, the
details thereof;
b) whether mandatory safety audits, equipment certifications, pressure testing and real-time
monitoring by ONGC officials were in place at the site, if so, the details thereof along with
the reasons of the occurrence of blowout;
c) whether any responsibility has been fixed on any ONGC officials or contractors for
negligence, if so, the details thereof; and
d) the action taken against those found responsible and the measures already taken and
proposed to prevent recurrence of such incidents in future ONGC operations?
ANSWER
पेट(cid:332)ोिलयम और (cid:366)ाकृ ितक गैस मं(cid:361)ालय म(cid:336) रा(cid:475)मं(cid:361)ी
((cid:373)ी सुरेश गोपी)
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF PETROLEUM AND NATURAL GAS
(SHRI SURESH GOPI)
(a): On 05.01.2026, a gas leak followed by fire occurred during the workover operation in well
Mori#5 of the Mori-5 field in Andhra Pradesh. This ONGC field was being operated by a private
contractor (M/s Deep Exploration Services Private Ltd.) (DESPL) since 03.04.2025 under a 15 years
Production Enhancement Contract (PEC). ONGC with its in-house expertise and capabilities
controlled the fire and capped and subdued the well in 5 days, i.e. on 10.01.2026. No loss of life or
injury was reported in the disaster.
(b) to (d): Since handing over the fields to the operator, regular safety audits/inspections are
being conducted by Statutory Authorities like Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS). DGMS
inspected Workover Rig DR-11 in November, 2025. There are adequate and comprehensive
safeguards inbuilt in the PEC to ensure that the contractor has total accountability and responsibility
for ensuring the safety of operations and environmental safeguard and corrections carried out based
on cumulative learnings from such episodes.
*****