JOIN USDistrict revenue officials today said they found thick black oil spill near Surasani Yanam village yesterday, where Ravva oil fields (managed by Cairn and ONGC) are located.
"At this stage, we are not clear how the spillage occurred. We enquired with officials of Cairn and ONGC who said their drilling has nothing to do with the oil leak. We immediately informed the pollution control board officials," revenue official N Chitti Babu told PTI.
"Local fishermen are concerned over the development as it may harm the fish and fishing tanks in the vicinity." He said they have spotted vultures flying over the coast indicating imminent deaths of fish in large scale.
An official associated with the oil fields said there is a possibility that a ship may have discharged waste oil in the sea.
When contacted a spokesperson of Cairn India, which has been conducting drilling works in Ravva basin, said an inspection team has found patches of oil spread over about 3km.
Laboratory testing has confirmed that the oil is used or burnt one and is not from Ravva fields, he said.