Depthwize Majestic rig: 3 crew members still missing
Sopuruchi Onwuka
Seplat Energy Plc has declared that its collaboration with industry stakeholders in the search and rescue of crew men of the capsized Depthwize Majestic rig was yet to account for the three missing persons.
Managing Director, Mr Roger Brown, stated in a media release that Seplat is working closely with t Depthwize Nigeria Limited which owns the rig in continued search for the 3 missing crew members.
He clarified that the Majestic rig which was in transit to its next drill location at Ovhor, Delta State, is owned by Depthwize Nigeria Limited and not Seplat.
Seplat is the operator of OMLs 4, 38 & 41 on behalf of the NNPCEPL/SEPLAT Joint Venture, he clarified.
Divers and other emergency services are on-site, and as of 9 am, the missing crew members remain unaccounted for.
“Of the other 92 crew members, 10 were admitted to hospital and stayed overnight. We are pleased to say the 10 crew members have all now been discharged from hospital. Seplat continues to support Depthwize with the emergency response and rescue efforts continue, with the priority being the search and rescue of the 3 missing crew members.
“Depthwize has notified Seplat that the single recorded fatality was a British national. The families of the deceased and the 3 missing crew members have been informed by Depthwize.
“Seplat has notified the authorities of the incident and continues to comply with all regulatory requirements,” Mr Brown stated.
Seplat had on August 15, announced a serious incident on the Depthwise swamp drilling rig “Majestic” was in-transit to its planned drilling location at Ovhor in Delta State when it capsized.
The rig was on drilling campaign for Seplat when the incident occurred. Seplat had stated that 92 of the 96-member crew are currently accounted for and safe.
“However, tragically one fatality occurred during the incident, while three other rig personnel are still missing,” the company reported.
“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 company stated, adding that a detailed investigation into the cause of the accident was ongoing.
