JAISALMER: The recent crash of IAF's Mig-27 has put a question mark on the security of the major oil fields in the country.
The incident took place merely 2km away from Mangala Oil Field in Barmer that contributes to 20% of the country's total oil production. A demand is being raised to make this oil field a 'no flying zone'. The state government has also started reviewing the security of the oil field. Had the plane crashed here, it would have caused a huge disaster.
The incident has left the government and oil companies worried. Fortunately, the plane was not carrying any bombs otherwise it would have caused a lot of damage to the Mangala oil field.
The government is mulling over some serious steps for the security of the oil field and it may even approach the defence ministry.
At present, Cairn Energy is producing 1,75,000 barrels of oil here which is sent to Gujarat through pipeline. The Air Force carries out its war exercises regularly at Uttarlai in Barmer and Cairn's Mangala terminal plant (MTP) is just 10km away from it.
Official sources at Cairn India said that it is up to the two ministries to ensure safety of hydrocarbon installations. "We are well-equipped and our installations have advance fire control system. We are confident that the government is aware of all the related concerns," said the official.
"This is a very serious issue and government is concerned about the security of oil fields and after this incident, once again the security of dozens of oil fields, including MPT, is being reviewed. If required we would take up the issue with the defence ministry," petroleum secretary Sudhansh Pant said.
In the last few years, most of the fighter plane accidents took place near the oil fields.
After two days of the incident, the investigation committees of IAF from Delhi and Jodhpur visited the accident sites and efforts are being made to find out the reason of the mishap through black box.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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