KARACHI: The Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) is set to initiate the process to contain and extinguish a mysterious huge fire that erupted last month during drilling for a borehole in Korangi Creek near an oil refinery after a report of the chemical analysis of groundwater and soil samples shows the presence of gases like benzene and toluene and minerals like iron and magnesium in much higher concentration under the ground.
Korangi deputy commissioner Masood Bhutto confirmed that experts concerned had submitted their report of the Korangi Creek fire incident.
He told Dawn the report showed presence of ‘heavy metals’ and the presence of gases like benzene in large quantities.
Regarding future course of action after the experts’ report, the DC said the PPL would initiate the process of containing the fire with help of experts.
Korangi DC says initial report shows presence of various gases, minerals in soil, groundwater samples
Subsequently, the gas exploration would be carried out to see the extent of the presence of gas up to five-kilometre areas.
He recalled that initially, it was presumed by the PPL experts that there were “shallow gases” which might exhaust themselves. Therefore, the administration and firefighters had halted the operation of extinguishing the fire on the experts’ advice as it might be harmful.
“But now as the gases have not consumed themselves and the intensity of the flames has remained the same for the last eight days, the PPL experts have deemed it fit to start an exploration activity to find gases inside the reservoir,” he said.
The DC recalled that during construction of a high-rise project, drilling for a borehole was done up to 1,200 feet that might have broken the “shale” and gases emitted, which triggered the fire that did not stop till now.
Rescue-1122 spokesperson Hassaan Khan also confirmed that findings of the experts regarding the chemical analysis of boiling water had been shared with them.
Sharing the gist of the report, Mr Khan said that it has been noted that excessive amounts of benzene, toluene and tetrachloroethane has been found in the boiling water.
Regarding the quantity of the chemicals found in the water, he said as per chemical analysis, tetrachloroethane was detected at 33 micrograms per litre instead of the permissible five micrograms per litre.
