One person has reportedly died while three others went missing after an oil rig, Majestic near Ovhor, collapsed in Delta State on Tuesday.
The PUNCH gathered that the swamp drilling rig, operated by a Nigerian oil firm, Depthwize, collapsed in the early hours of Tuesday.
The rig was contracted by the Seplat/Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited joint venture when the incident occurred.
The rig was in transit to its planned drilling location at Ovhor in Delta State when it collapsed.
Seplat’s Chief Executive Officer, Roger Brown, in an email to The PUNCH, confirmed the incident.
“Ninety-two of the 96-member crew are accounted for and safe. However, tragically, one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are still missing,” the email read in part.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the crew member who sadly lost his life and the three crew members who are still missing at the time of this report,” Brown added.
Seplat said its emergency response and rescue response working alongside the rig owner and the authorities had been activated.
“Our utmost priority will continue to be the safety and well-being of all the affected personnel and their families. We will provide further details as our understanding of the incident develops. A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident will follow.”
Checks revealed that a fire had broken out on the oil rig as far back as 2018.
Contact: [email protected]
