10 crew members missing as fire guts offshore oil facility in Delta

Ten crew members on board an offshore oil and gas platform near Ugborodo community in the Warri Southwest Council area of Delta state, are yet to be accounted for following an explosion that rocked the facility early Wednesday.

The Nation gathered that the explosion occurred on a Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading vessel, identified as Trinity Spirit FPSO around 1a.m, February 2.

The FPSO, with a capacity to process up to 22,000 barrels of oil per day, serves as the primary production facility for OML 108.

A resident of the area told The journalists that“Three persons were rescued by some Ilaje traders who trade by the seashore” in Ugborodo, adding that the fire was still burning as of 11:20a.m on Thursday.”

It was gathered that the vessel, which produces crude oil at the Ukpokiti Terminal,
belongs to an oil multinational, Shebah Exploration and Production Company Limited (SEPCOL).

A statement by the Chief Executive Officer of SEPCOL (in receivership), Ikemefuna Okafor, states that efforts were ongoing to rescue the situation.

The statement was however silent on the condition of the 10 crew members.

It added that relevant authorities have been notified and urged members of the public to steer clear of the area.

The incident, which caused serious panic among workers in nearby oil and gas facilities and fishermen in the area, poses a threat to fishing and other economic activities of the neighbouring riverine communities.