An ROV has located the bodies of three individuals reported lost when the jackup Prospector 5 sank offshore Gabon last Saturday, Borr Drilling has confirmed. 

Of the 115 personnel on board at the time, 110 have since returned ashore to Port Gentil and are being provided with accommodation, care and support in Gabon. 

Search and rescue operations continue for the two individuals that remain unaccounted for.  

At the time of the incident, Borr added, there was about 280 cu. m of marine diesel fuel onboard the rig. 

The company, client BW Energy, and the local authorities have launched coordinated resources and measures to mitigate/minimize any associated environmental impact from the anticipated leak, with support from Perenco and Vaalco as operators of nearby offshore fields. 

As a standard safety precaution, BW Energy had shut down the MaBoMo wellhead production platform in the offshore Dussafu license ahead of the Prospector 5 moving into the safety perimeter, and prior to last Saturday’s incident. 

Production has now resumed, with no reported damage to the facility or related equipment. The company had planned to use the Prospector 5 for a well workover; this will now be conducted using a hydraulic workover unit, which BW Energy hopes to be able to mobilize in the coming months.