Chief minister Tarun Gogoi at Naharkatia in Dibrugarh on Monday. Picture by Eastern Projections

Dibrugarh/Guwahati, Feb. 18: Assam chief minister Tarun Gogoi today urged petroleum giant Oil India Limited to lay more stress on its corporate social responsibility in its operational areas and declared Naharkatia Block-1, OIL’s oldest well, “a historical well”.

He was speaking on the occasion of the oil major’s golden jubilee celebration at Naharkatia Block-1 in South Bank.

Gogoi congratulated present and former employees and their families for OIL’s glorious past and expressed hope that the company would surge ahead in the future.

Dispur had already approached the Centre for a petroleum institute and a petro museum, he said.

Praising the efforts of various oil majors in increasing production of crude oil in the state, Gogoi said along with exploration, conservation of oil too is essential.

“A special effort should be made for oil conservation. Bio-diesel could be a viable alternative to oil.”

Gogoi inaugurated an exhibition where the drilling materials, used when OIL started work for the first time in 1952-53, were put on display.

The well at Naharkatia Block -1 was drilled for the first time in 1952.

It started production from July 16, 1953. At present the well yields 16,000 litres of crude oil everyday.

“This well should be a heritage well for the company and a source of inspiration in years to come,” Gogoi said.

He also planted a sapling to mark the occasion.

The chairman-cum-managing director of OIL, M.R. Pasrija, dwelt on the progress made by the company in exploration and extraction of crude oil. The company had adopted advanced technology that helped it rev up production, he said.

“Today OIL has been able to expand its bases even in Libya, Iran, Nigeria and Sudan.”

Deputy Speaker Pranati Phukon, who represents Naharkatia, was present as a guest.

Additional secretary in the petroleum ministry S. Sudarsan also attended the programme.

Former chairmen cum managing directors (CMDs) of the company, including Bikash Bora and N.N. Gogoi, graced the occasion as guests.