Indian energy company ONGC said it called on U.S. well control leaders Boots & Coots to help contain a fire that left 12 people injured during the weekend.
Exports from Boots & Coots are on their way to "contain the crisis" at a gas well that caught fire during maintenance work Saturday.
"Water is being continuously sprayed over the wellhead to keep the area cool so as not to let fire spread further," the Indian company said in a statement Sunday. "Fire is intentionally not being extinguished as gas gushing out needs to be burned at wellhead till such time well stops flow of the gas."
ONGC said about 12 people sustained burns from the incident. Of the nine people admitted to a hospital for care, four are ONGC employees and five are from an undisclosed rig contractor. Seven of those injured were listed Sunday as in critical, but stable, condition.
The company said all non-essential personnel were evacuated from the site. There is no danger to surrounding communities as the closest habited residence is about a mile away from the site.
ONGC said a crisis management team has "stepped up efforts" to drill a relief well near the site, which would allow the company to stop the flow of natural gas.
