Chevron continues fighting rig fire offshore Nigeria

Jan. 17, 2012
In its latest report, Chevron Nigeria Ltd. continues work to contain a fire on the K.S. Endeavor drilling rig offshore Nigeria. The rig is operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Ltd.

In its latest report, Chevron Nigeria Ltd. continues work to contain a fire on theK.S. Endeavor drilling rig offshore Nigeria. The rig is operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Ltd.

The rig was drilling a natural gas exploration well in Funiwa field approximately 6 mi (10 km) offshore and in approximately 40 ft (12 m) of water when the fire started.

At this writing, two crew members remained missing out of the 154 total persons and search and rescue operations are under way.

“Every effort is being made to find the missing workers. They are our utmost priority,” said Andrew Fawthrop, managing director, Chevron’s Nigeria/Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit. “We do not know what caused the incident. We are working diligently to contain the fire, which is restricted to the rig. Substantial resources have been deployed including well control specialists and drilling experts. We continue to work in full cooperation with Nigerian authorities and are committed to providing additional information as it becomes known.”

Production from Chevron’s North Apoi platform was shut in due to its proximity to the incident.