[Ref: Meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee (NCMC) to review the

preparedness for the impending Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal to be held at 03.00 p.m. on
Saturday, the 22nd May, 2021]
Preparedness for the impending Cyclone in the Bay of Bengal by Oil & Gas
Companies
22.05.2021
A cyclone “YAAS” is likely to hit the eastern states of Odisha and West Bengal on 26 th-27th
May’2021. A low-pressure area is getting formed over the north Andaman Sea and adjoining
East-central Bay of Bengal around 22nd May’2021 as per the IMD.

It is very likely to intensify gradually into a cyclonic storm during the subsequent 72 hours. It
is very likely to move north-westwards and reach West Bengal-Odisha coasts around 26th
May evening, as per “the Cyclone Warning Division of the IMD”.

Actions Initiated by Oil & Gas Industry :

1. Oil Industry has sent alerts to the locations in states likely to be affected by the
impending cyclone on the various preventive measures to be taken. The press
release sent by IMD has been circulated as advance notification.
2. Oil industry is making arrangements to maintain adequate POL, CNG, LPG stock
at all the dealerships in the area expected to be hit by the cyclone.
3. Setting up of Disaster Control Room at Corporate and Divisional level for close co-
ordination with Divisions and locations for collecting updates on the Cyclone and
unit / location operations and disseminating to all concerned. The information
received shall be periodically sent situation reports to the OISD & Ministry.
4. The control room will be manned by OMC officers, round the clock, sending reports
shift wise. The control room shall be in touch with the LPG Plants, OIL depots &
terminals.
5. Every company shall have their internal meeting at State Office / Installations /
Depots / LPG Plants where in all officials / workmen to be briefed about the
approaching cyclone, its severity, its impact and the possible devastation it can
bring to our network operations.
6. The Sales Officers to brief the dealers & distributors and asked to be prepared for
the cyclone.
7. Adequate product availability shall be ensured in the markets, mainly in the districts
which are anticipated to be worst hit.
8. Close coordination with local Port authorities on berthing / deberthing of vessels /
barges at jetties.

Actions at Locations :
Following necessary preventive and proactive precautions shall be taken at our locations;
1. Monitor the weather reports from IMD, press releases from authentic sources for
information on cyclone speed, path and likely impact.
2. Keep in constant contact with Emergency cell of district administration, Department
of Factories & Boilers, NDRF, Police and Fire Brigade.
3. Regular and frequent coordination between all SLCs (State Level Coordinator) and
Government officials. Keep close coordination with OMC (Oil Marketing Companies)
locations for any mutual assistance.
4. Follow standard operating procedures let down for this type of emergencies as per
ERDMP.
5. Locations shall suspend the operations once the cyclone intensity increases.
6. All storm water drains shall be checked and cleaned. For OWS systems check the
water seal to contain the oil spill in the tank form and unit areas.
7. All Boards which are found hanging from shed or Roof to be dismantled and kept at a
safe place. Glass doors and large glass panel windows in the buildings shall be
secured.
8. Officers shall be deployed at night hours also to keep informed about any
development hence plant will be manned by officer round the clock.
9. Necessary arrangements like small electrical/diesel pumps shall be arranged for
removal of water from electrical trenches and other places.
10. Downing of all high mast towers light fixtures. Lowering of Boom of all cranes
and shifting the crane at safe location. Barricading the Boom radius of crane.
11. All temporary connections (including Project, shutdown units/operating units/Tank
M&I) will be removed and kept de-energized.
12. DG sets shall be checked for proper working and sufficient diesel as buffer stock to
be kept.
13. Contractors being advised to keep their workmen informed for avoid traveling during
cyclonic storm.
14. All works at Height to be stopped during cyclonic storm.
15. Ensure availability of skilled manpower like electricians, Automation engineer,
Maintenance personnel etc since their presence may be required immediately after
the cyclone passes. Food and drinking water to be arranged for all persons who will
remain stationed during cyclone period.
16. In case any project works are going on, ensure that no loose plates, wires, poles,
scaffolding etc are left at the site. All electrical appliances like welding sets,
generators shall be stored at elevated levels to avoid damage due to flooding,
workmen to be informed of all the precautions to be taken at worksite & their
residences, Sheds made of G.I Sheets to be removed or reinforced to sustain the
strong winds, dug up trenches to be barricaded.
17. In case of total breakdown in communication, the LIC/Coordinator to immediately
take charge of the situation and try to establish communication from nearest location and
organize supplies from alternate source, in consultation with the local / district
administration and to organize relief work in line with the plans drawn by the District
Collectors.
18. Post Cyclone, State Level Coordinator (SLC) of respective state shall be the nodal
agency for overseeing the relief work in the affected state.
19. To prepare adequately for extended power outage. Ensure that sufficient emergency
lighting is available.
20. To ensure that multiple communication options are available throughout the crisis
period.
21. All transporter being advised to park vehicles at safe place enroute to destination – in
case of heavy rains / winds. They have been advised to not to park their TTs
under /near the tree /tall structure to protect from lightening during cyclones.
22. The flames on the flares are likely to be blown off. Planned shutdown of all
hydrocarbon units will be taken before the wind speed exceeds, say 60 – 80 kmph
(based on IMD forecast)
23. Ensure trimming of trees at boundary roads, emergency paths. Similar trimming of
trees are required at housing complex long the roads & near boundary.
24. Sufficient numbers of contract workers will be kept for taking up many miscellaneous
and urgent jobs like dewatering, Sand bags provision, oil spills cleaning, clearing of
fallen trees/sheets.
25. At Aviation Fueling Stations, provisions in place to provide mobile refueling near to
calamity site for meeting rescue / relief air operations.
 26. Test the functionality of all lightening arrester installed in the location. Check the
condition of structural earthing and ensure the continuity & size of earth conductor
for dissipation of charge to the earth in case of lightening on structures.
27. Check the Path of earthing of all tanks, vessels to dissipate the fault current and
check electrical trip systems
28. Develop SOPs for emergency evacuations of product tank contents if necessary.
29. Ensure valves and blinds closed/open position as per SOP, for emergency
evacuation of product from tanks / closure of line , as the case may be.

Actions taken at Single Point Mooring Stations:

1. It will be ensured that there is no Crude tanker at SPM. SPM hoses and hawsers
will be secured to prevent damage. Maintenance and support vessels will advised
to return to shore.
2. SPM 1 and 3 at Paradip are ready as per the contingency plan.
3. At SPM 2, one tanker is under discharge and another one will berth tomorrow
and part discharge will be completed by 23.05.2021 afternoon. Part activities for
SPM readiness as per contingency plan completed, balance will be done by
23.05.2021 evening.
4. Taking back-up of SCADA/important data of server & individual PC to avoid loss
of the same in the event of inundation of the total facility
5. Covering critical equipment like MLPUs, Boosters, etc. with waterproof sheets to
prevent mud/ sand entering the same
6. Emptying sump tank & Evacuation of OWS. Round the clock manning of OWS
control room to tack water

Actions taken by ONGC for their drilling sites:

1. Meeting held with all the Rig Managers on 20.05.2021 at 1230 hours along with
representatives from Drilling Services-Mumbai and Corporate HSE.
2. Experiences, lessons learnt from Cyclone Tauktae were exchanged in the meeting.
3. Control Room has been setup at Radio Room in NVR Complex in Kakinada for
coordinating & monitoring the evacuation/movement to safe locations of Rigs,
Platforms, and Vessels. Contact details of Radio room have been shared with all
Rigs and Vessels.
4. A task force has also been set up consisting of following members for coordinating
the actions and precautions regarding the same: Shri P Suresh Babu-GGM(D), Shri
PMK Kumar-CGM(D), Shri A Venkata Ramana-GM(D), Shri Umesh Raj- GM(Log),
Shri Jitendra Kumar-Security Officer
5. POB of rig Olinda Star reduced from 88 to 28
6. Weather Bulletin being monitored every 6 hours
7. List of all persons offshore with cell nos. and Aadhar/ID details made and available at
Control Room.
8. As per SOP and advice of Director (Offshore), all the supply vessels will be moved to
safe locations and all the Rigs will be in safe mode/safe location during the onset of
Cyclone.

Actions at SALPG (Cavern Storage) terminal:

The storage is underground and has high-mast towers, DG vent stacks and
unloading arms are the only high-rise structures.
 
1. Except the essential operational activities rest of the works be suspended till the
 cyclone subsides to Minimize number of staff present at terminal.
2. Ship movements will be decided based on advice of Visakh Port.
3. Pipeline Transfer of LPG operations will be suspended in case of rough weather
conditions.
4. If situation demands ‘Plant Emergency Shutdown (ESD)’ to be activated to prevent
any untoward incidents.
5. LPG receipt and despatch pipelines will be de-pressurised by taking the product back
into Cavern to prevent any accidental major product release.
6. 33 KV/11 KV electricity supply will be suspended as a precaution and plant will be
sustained on DG supply. 
7. Adequate HSD will be stocked in advance to meet unforeseen power outages.
8. Detailed HSE briefing as per “Do’s and Dont’s” will be re-emphasized to all the
terminal staff including contract workmen / security.
9. Senior officers will be deputed for continuous physical monitoring and decision
making on critical days.
10. High-mast lighting fixtures will be lowered to ground level in advance.
11. Sea water level along the eastern wall will be monitored.
12. Critical Manning chart will be prepared and staff shall be intimated in advance about
extended duration of stay at terminal till the cyclone landfall period.
13. All emergency communication systems to be made ready. Emergency contact list
containing all critical contacts is already kept ready at Plant control room / security.
14. All plant facilities will be inspected to confirm their integrity prior to restoring
operations at presence of senior experienced officers.
15. Based on amount of rainfall and piezometric readings, shaft water injection shall be
suitably controlled to prevent hydrogeological disturbance to cavern.
16. 24Hrs contract vehicle is available at terminal for use in case of emergency travel.

Actions at Refineries:
1. Additional manpower of employees involved in essential activities of F&S,
O per at ion, Maint enance and Utilt ies
will be kept  in each shift for effective manning and emergency handling.
2. Cleaning of all Oil catchers inside the Refinery.
3. Removal of obstructions and cleaning wherever required in open channels, OWS and
CRWS.
4. Checking and keeping the Diesel engine driven Dewatering pumps ready.
5. If situation warrants, unit through puts will be reduced / put on circulation.
6. Starting of additional boilers, if Steam pressure reduces during heavy rain as
emergency back up to tackle sudden drop in steam drum /header pressures.
7. Adequate manning in Hospital, First Aid has been done and Ambulances are kept
ready in standby condition for handling any medical emergencies. First Aid Kits
replenished at all locations in the refinery.

Actions for Residential Colonies:

 Stock up some essential food items especially high calorie items and emergency
medicines.
 Turn off all electricity, gas and water; unplug all appliances. Keep sufficient
emergency lights and battery backup.
 Keep your emergency kit close at hand.
 Bring your family into the strongest part of the house.
 Keep listening to the radio/electronic media for cyclone updates.
 Keep adequate cash as the ATM’s may become non-functional due to power
outages.
 If the building begins to break up, shelter under a strong table, bench or heavy
mattress.
 Beware the calm eye of the cyclone: stay inside until told it is safe to go outside.
 Comfort children and elderly people.
 Stock up adequate essential medicines