Death toll rises in FPSO explosion offshore Brazil

Feb. 13, 2015
BW Offshore has confirmed that the bodies of five deceased personnel have been brought to shore with four Brazilian personnel missing.

Offshore staff

HOUSTON – BW Offshore has confirmed that the bodies of five deceased personnel have been brought to shore with four Brazilian personnel missing. Four of the deceased are Brazilian nationals and one is Indian. Arrangements are being made for formal identification and release to the family, the company stated. 

The unit hull is intact, confirmed BW Offshore. A specialist team returned to the unit to evaluate if conditions are sufficiently safe to allow search and rescue efforts to continue.

"This is a terrible day for the families of the men we have lost and our hearts go out to them. We remain determined to continue the search for those still missing", said CEO Carl Arnet.

On Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2015 at 12:50 local Brazilian time, an explosion occurred on theCidade de São Mateus FPSO. The unit is operated for Petrobras by BW Offshore on the Camarupim and Camarupim Norte fields in Espirito Santo littoral approximately 75 mi (120 km) from the coast.

Production has stopped and the unit is shut down.

02/13/2015