Cyclone Phethai Impact: Oil Rig Off Andhra Pradesh Coast Tilts; Indian Navy Aiding ONGC In Stabilisation Efforts

Olinda Star, an Oil And Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) oil rig off the coast of Andhra Pradesh has tilted to a precarious degree due to the extreme impact of Cyclone Phethai, reports The Hindu. Efforts are currently underway to quickly stabilise the rig back to its normal position.

No lives are in danger as 120 staff members working on the rig had already been evacuated in a two-day operation commencing on 14 December following a cyclone alert by the Meteorological Department.

Currently, efforts are underway to stabilise the rig located between Kakinada and Yanam, with 13 technical personnel of ONGC being airlifted on to the structure to assess the situation. The Indian Navy is aiding the process, and commandos from its special forces unit MARCOS were deployed to help land the staff onboard the unstable rig.

The company has organised all possible resources, include experts, in its stabilisation mission.

An ONGC official expressed the company’s gratitude to the Navy, stating, “The Navy has provided immense help to the ONGC in its endeavour.”