Natural gas leak from ONGC pipeline in Andhra’s Konaseema; work on to plug the leak

ONGC crisis management personnel contain the fire after a blowout at the Mori-5 well at Irusumanda in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district in January. File | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Safety personnel of the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) are working to plug a natural gas leak from a pipeline near Machavaram village in Ambajipeta mandal of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Konaseema district. Local residents reported a minor gas leak at around 8.30 a.m. on Monday, (October 26, 2026).

ONGC authorities, who are coordinating the operation, told The Hindu: “Our own Safety wing personnel are involved in plugging the natural gas leak from the pipeline and later the existing pipeline will be replaced today itself. The fire was completely under control by 11.20 a.m.”

They added: “All the wells operated by the ONGC are closed temporarily until the leakage is plugged and new pipeline is laid. We are coordinating with the district officials to update about the progress of the work.”

In a release, District Collector R. Mahesh Kumar said the fire was under control and efforts were on to plug the leak.

Earlier incidents

In January this year, a blowout at the ONGC’s Mori-5 well at Irusumanda village in Malkipuram mandal of the same district led to a fire with flames rising up to 25 metres. People living around the well were evacuated and about 75 coconut trees and crops on three acres were damaged before the well was brought under control.

In July 2025, natural gas leaked from a well being drilled by the ONGC at Pasarlapudi Lanka in Mamidikuduru mandal, and the district officials ordered the drilling to be stopped.

Published - October 26, 2026 12:51 pm IST