BLOWOUT KILLED AT RUSSIAN WILDCAT

June 1, 1992
Russia reports a major fire has been doused at a wildcat in the Kungur district of the Volga-Ural area's Perm province. The well was controlled after flowing about 17.65 MMcfd of gas for 10 days. Moscow's Itar-Tass news agency said the blowout occurred when the entire drilling crew went to supper even though gas was detected in the wellbore. Besides the lost gas, the accident heavily damaged a rig that, with Russia's hyperinflation, now costs more than 15 million rubles.

Russia reports a major fire has been doused at a wildcat in the Kungur district of the Volga-Ural area's Perm province.

The well was controlled after flowing about 17.65 MMcfd of gas for 10 days.

Moscow's Itar-Tass news agency said the blowout occurred when the entire drilling crew went to supper even though gas was detected in the wellbore.

Besides the lost gas, the accident heavily damaged a rig that, with Russia's hyperinflation, now costs more than 15 million rubles.

The crew seemed indifferent to the loss, "hoping, as in the old days, the well's future production will offset blowout damage," Itar-Tass said.

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