One Dead, Three Missing, 92 Rescued in Seplat Oil Rig Incident

Emmanuel Addeh in Abuja and Peter Uzoho in Lagos

Seplat Energy yesterday confirmed the death of one person and the rescue of 92 others after its oil drilling rig ‘Majestic’ was involved in an incident in Ovhor in Okpe, Delta State.

However, THISDAY, at the time of putting this report together last night, learnt that three persons aboard the facility were still missing while many of the rescued were receiving treatment.

Announcing the incident in a statement signed by its Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Roger Brown, Seplat noted that in all, 96 persons were on board when the incident happened.

“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/NNPC 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,” it added.

However, Seplat noted that tragically, one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel were 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,” the statement stressed.

The energy firm pledged to continue to provide further details as its understanding of the incident develops. “A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident will follow,” it stressed.