One worker has been found dead and four remain missing after the Prospector 5 drilling rig sank off Gabon, a petroleum-workers’ representative told Reuters on Sunday.
The dead worker was one of five people initially unaccounted for, according to Sylvain Mayabi Binet, secretary general of the National Organization of Petroleum Employees. Borr Drilling had earlier said 110 of the 115 people aboard were safely accounted for. The incident occurred at about 20:37 local time on Saturday, 24 October.
Borr Drilling said preliminary information pointed to a punch-through event during preload activities. The rig lost stability and subsequently sank while conducting jacking operations.
The contractor activated its onshore emergency response team and said it was working with local authorities and BW Energy, whose drilling operations the rig was contracted to support.
BW Energy separately confirmed that the incident occurred on the Dussafu Marine licence. It said it was supporting the search alongside the contractor, authorities and emergency responders.
Production at the MaBoMo facility was shut down in accordance with standard procedures during the drilling preparations, BW Energy said. The company reported no damage to that facility or related equipment, and no accidental discharge of harmful substances into the sea from the facility.
Those statements concern the MaBoMo facility. They do not establish the full environmental consequences of the rig sinking.
Borr Drilling chief executive Bruno Morand said the company’s immediate priority was supporting the rescue effort and the welfare of everyone involved.
Borr’s explanation of the loss of stability remained preliminary.
