An oil well in central Oman burst into flames on Tuesday after leaking for four days, according to Petroleum Development Oman (PDO).
"PDO can confirm that Zauliyah-16 caught fire at 1:30pm yesterday. No one was injured. The ignition source is not known at this time," said a PDO statement, cited by the Gulf News.
"The well, 120 km north west of Haima in central Oman, had been experiencing uncontrolled flow of hydrocarbons since Saturday."
The statement said specialists from Houston-based Will Well Control were mobilized and had been on the scene since Monday.
"No activity was ongoing at the wellhead at the time of the fire. Contingency plans that had been in place for such an eventuality are now being executed, including drafting in specialist manpower and equipment."
PDO, Oman's drilling and oil producing company, which first exported oil in 1967, is owned 60 percent by the government, 34 percent by Royal Dutch Shell, four percent by Total Fina Elf and two percent by Partex.
PDO said on Monday that efforts were continuing to bring the well's problems under control, according to the paper – Albawaba.com
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