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Lok Sabh
Following is the uncorrected text of a Suo Moto Statement made by Shri Mani Shankar Aiyar, Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas in the Lok Sabha today :-
“A major fire accident occurred on Mumbai High North (MHN) processing platform at 4.05 P.M. on 27.7.05 resulting in the loss of the facility. The accident took place when ONGC’s multi purpose support vessel “Samudra Suraksha”, under SCI operation, was engaged in a medical evacuation operation. According to available information, the MSV lost control, drifted, and collided with the platform causing a major fire, which also engulfed the MSV.
Given the intensity of the fire and consequent damage the platform was abandoned according to a well-rehearsed abandonment drill used in offshore operations. Similarly, personnel from the MSV were evacuated, except for six divers who are now undergoing decompression and are expected to survive. Personnel on board the chartered drilling rig NC Yester deployed in the area were also evacuated. The MHN platform was totally lost in less than 2 hours along with a Pawan Hans helicopter positioned on it. ONGC support and supply vessels and three chartered helicopters were quickly mobilized for search and rescue operations. Indian Navy and Coast guards provided prompt assistance by deploying ships and air crafts.
A total of 384 personnel had to be abandon the affected platform and the two vessels. Of them, 351 have been rescued in addition to the 6 divers who are undergoing decompression.
The injured persons were provided first aid by doctors and paramedics immediately on rescue. 129 of those rescued are reaching Mumbai Docks today in the morning. The remaining rescued personnel are expected to reach Mumbai by late evening. The search for missing persons is continuing.
So far, 10 personnel are confirmed dead. These include 6 from ONGC and 1 each from the MSV and NC Yester. Two bodies are yet to be identified. On behalf of the nation, I extend my deepest sympathies to the bereaved families. Their rehabilitation will be our duty.
In spite of the severe destruction caused by floods and rains in Mumbai, all possible resources for rescue and relief were mobilized immediately. This was in spite of the fact that the control center at Bandra (East) was non-functional as a result of power outage, all communications links were destroyed, and the fleet of 12 chartered helicopters at Juhu helibase was completely grounded because of the flood situation. An emergency control center was set up immediately to manage the response effectively. CMD, ONGC and other officers of ONGC has already reached Mumbai on 28th early morning by the first civilian flight to land on the opening of Mumbai airport. I am leaving for Mumbai immediately after making this suo moto statement.
Though the loss of the platform would immediately impact 110,000 barrels per day of crude production, it is expected that 70% of this production would be restored over the next 4 weeks. The platform was insured for US$ 195 million and the MSV for US$ 60 million under ONGC’s offshore package insurance policy.
CMD, ONGC has constituted an internal enquiry committee to go into the causes of this tragic accident with the help of outside experts.
I would like to draw the attention of the House to the outstanding success of ONGC in carrying out the prescribed safety drill at the site of the accident, as also to extend the nation’s grateful thanks to the Navy and the Coast Guards who have mounted a remarkably rapid and extremely successful search and rescue operation. My thanks are also due to Cairn Energy and British Gas who have offered their helicopters for the rescue operations.”
RCJ/KC/ Fire-accident – mumbai high ( 28.7.05)
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