Chevron Rig fire: Search called off for 2 missing workers
A further two workers remain hospitalised with burns following the incident while others are being held for further investigation
Chevron Nigeria has called off search and rescue activities for two contractors who have been missing after a fire started aboard the jack-up KS Endeavor, offshore Nigeria.
The two workers, believed to be from France and India, have been missing since the rig, situated on the Funiwa field in Block 86, was engulfed in flames following an apparent blow-out on Monday.
Chevron Nigeria/Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit managing director Andrew Fawthrop said the company had been conducting intensive search and rescue activities to find the contractors.
“I am saddened to report that our efforts have proven unsuccessful and, therefore, we have made the difficult decision to transition to a recovery operation,” he said in an announcement.
“On behalf of Chevron, we extend our sincere condolences to the families of the missing individuals.”
In an earlier interview with Upstream , Ian Laidlaw, operations manager at the Nigeria-based joint owner of the rig, Fode Drilling, said the fire was continuing to burn, with Chevron continuing plans to drill a relief well.
The supermajor was also planning an investigation into the cause of the incident, which it had earlier said may have been due to the failure of surface equipment during drilling operations.
“The well continues to burn and the rig has partially collapsed,” Chevron said in an earlier announcement.
“At this time, the company cannot estimate how long the fire will continue.”
A further two workers remain hospitalised with burns following the incident while others are being held for further investigation.
Before the latest developments, KS Energy, which jointly owns the KS Endeavor with Fode Drilling, told the Singapore Stock Exchange that the families of the missing crew members had been informed of the situation.
“The rig is reported to be almost submerged into the waters while the fire continues,” KS Energy said in an early morning release.
KS Energy also responded to a Stock Exchange query about whether the rig damage would have a material impact on its financial position, saying it would not have enough information to make an assessment until an incident investigation was completed.
“However, as a matter of policy, the Company’s rigs are insured in accordance with their market value and their operational requirements,” the company said.
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http://dailytimes.com.ng/article/chevron-rig-fire-search-called-2-missing-workers
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