Five Nigerian oil workers have reportedly died from the Majestic rig accident involving Seplat Energy at Ogboren close to the Ovhor oilfield in Sapele Local Government, Delta State.
The accident also claimed the life of one British expatriate five other Nigerians missing.
The Majestic rig, a recently acquired rig operated by a joint venture between SEPLAT and NNPCL, capsized early on Tuesday with 96 crew members on board.
Top management personnel who spoke with newsmen anonymously stated that company management was working around the clock to find other missing persons and that no effort would be spared to track down and locate other missing persons.
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The personnel said:
“As soon as we got the news of the incident, the company activated search and rescues mechanisms, and the efforts yielded great results, as we speak most of the workers are safe and getting medical attention, but sadly, we lost 6 staff, a Briton included with about 6 other workers still missing as at 8pm today.”
Out of the Nintysix crew members on the rig, ninety-two were safe, according to a press release from Seplat Energy Plc’s management, which was signed by Mr Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer.
Brown said:
“Seplat Energy regrets to announce a serious incident on the Depthwise swamp drilling rig ‘Majestic’ in the early hours of this morning. Seplat as the operator of the SEPLAT/NNPCL joint venture contracted the rig. It was in-transit to its planned drilling location at Ovhor in Delta State when it capsized.
“92 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.
“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. Our emergency response and rescue efforts working alongside the rig owner and the authorities have been activated and are onsite. Our utmost priority will continue to be the safety and wellbeing 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.”
According to checks, OMLs 4, 38, and 41 were situated in the onshore Nigerian states of Edo (OML 4) and Delta (OMLs 38 and 41), and Seplat Energy owned a 45 percent working interest in each of them.
The three blocks, which together made up one contract area, were operated by Seplat Energy on behalf of the NPDC/Seplat Joint Venture.
With the consent of its partner, Seplat Energy had the authority to manage day-to-day operations, set objectives for production and operational improvement, and take the lead on exploration and appraisal projects.
Seven fields, namely Amukpe, Oben, Okporhuru, Ovhor, Orogho, Sapele, and Sapele Shallow account for the majority of production; however, the partners hoped to add more fields in the future.
