Offshore staff

SAN RAMON, California – Chevron Nigeria Ltd. is learning more details behind the K.S. Endeavor jackup drilling rig fire. At the same time, planning continues to drill a relief well. The search for two missing contract personnel is suspended.

The Funiwa Deep-A well was proposed as a straight hole to a total depth of 16,500 ft (5,029 m). The exploration target interval is between 13,500 ft (4,115 m) and 16,500 ft TVD.

The rig was operating in a water depth of approximately 40 ft (12 m), about 6 mi (10 km) offshore, and the well had been drilled to 12,945 ft (3,946 m) at the time of the incident.

Funiwa and nearby North Apoi fields were discovered in 1973 and 1978 respectively. Several wells have tested and produced from the shallow and intermediate reservoirs. There have been 106 wells drilled to date, with 37 oil reservoirs and 7 gas condensate reservoirs discovered averaging a total depth of 10,000 ft (3,048 m).

“After three days of intensive search and rescue activities for our missing colleagues, 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. On behalf of Chevron, we extend our sincere condolences to the families of the missing individuals,” said Andrew Fawthrop, managing director, Chevron's Nigeria/Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit.

01/20/2012