Seplat staff Die as Oil Rig Collapses in Delta

Seplat Energy has reportedly lost six workers, including a foreigner, in an accident involving the Majestic rig at Ogboren close to Ovhor Oilfield in Sapele Local Government Area of Delta State.

According to sources, a Briton five Nigerians were involved in the accident, while 5 others are still missing.

“The incident involving the Majestic rig, that was newly acquired by SEPLAT/NNPCL joint venture in the early hours of Tuesday, with 96 crew members affected. 6 bodies have been recovered, including that of a Briton.”

Speaking to journalist on anonymously, a top management staff disclosed that the company was working round the clock to find other missing persons.

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“No stone would be left unturned to track and locate other missing persons.”

“As soon as we got the news of the incident, the company activated search and rescues mechanisms, and the efforts yielded great results, as we speak most of the workers are safe and getting medical attention, but sadly, we lost 6 staff, with about 6 other workers still missing as at 8pm today,” he said.

In a statement, Mr. Roger Brown, Chief Executive Officer of Seplat Energy, said, “Out of the 96-member crew on the rig, 92 of them are safe, however, tragically one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are still missing.

“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/NNPCL 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. However, tragically one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are 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.

“We will provide further details as our understanding of the incident develops. A detailed investigation into the cause of the accident will follow.”

Seplat Energy has a 45% working interest in OMLs 4, 38 and 41, which are located in Edo (OML 4) and Delta (OMLs 38 and 41) States onshore Nigeria.

Seplat Energy is operator of the three blocks, which together form one contract area, on behalf of the NPDC/Seplat Joint Venture.