ONGC reports damage to offshore infrastructure caused by Cyclone Tauktae

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) has reported significant damage to its major production installations and drilling rigs located offshore Mumbai in the Arabian Sea due to Cyclone Tauktae.

The Indian state-owned oil and gas company said that wind speed increased to approximately 150-180kmph with six to eight meters high waves.

According to ONGC, the severe cyclonic storm has resulted in unfortunate incidents, which involved three construction barges of Afcons Infrastructure working on the company’s project in Western Offshore fields in the Arabian Sea.

Apart from that, Cyclone Tauktae has also impacted a drilling rig deployed by ONGC for exploration activity.

ONGC reports damage to offshore infrastructure caused by Cyclone Tauktae. Photo courtesy of Nandu Chitnis from Pune, India/Wikipedia.org.

The Indian oil and gas giant said that it is taking all possible steps in coordination with Offshore Defence Advisory Group (ODAG) and Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC) for ensuring the safety of both the personnel and vessels.

The impacted vessels include the Papaa–305 barge, Support Station-3 barge, Gal Constructor barge, and the Sagar Bhushan drilling ship.

ONGC said that Papaa–305 barge’s anchors had given away, and the vessel had started drifting. The Indian Navy‘s INS Kochi and INS Kolkata ships along with a tug boat from Afcons, an ofshore supply vessel of the company, and Coast Guard vessel ICG Samarth have been deployed for the rescue operation.

The anchors of the Support Station-3 barge also gave away and the vessel began drifting North-West, said ONGC. The company said that the vessel is under control and there is no water ingress.

On the other hand, the Gal Constructor barge is drifting at Colaba Point with water ingress in engine room. ICG Samrat and Mumbai Port Trust vessel – Water Lily are at the site for rescue and support.

The Sagar Bhushan drillship has also lost its anchors and had started drifting north. ONGC said that four of its charter hired vessels are carrying out rescue operations.