Borr Drilling rig sinks off Gabon, five of 115 aboard missing

Borr Drilling’s Prospector 5 jack-up drilling rig sank off Gabon on Saturday evening, leaving five of the 115 people aboard missing, BW Energy and Borr Drilling said on Sunday.

BW Energy said the incident occurred on its Dussafu Marine licence in Gabon at 20:37 local time on Saturday 24 October, during jacking operations in preparation for a planned drilling campaign. The rig experienced a loss of stability and subsequently sank, the company said.

Of the 115 people on board at the time, 110 have been safely accounted for and five remain missing, BW Energy said. Search-and-rescue operations are under way, supported by Borr Drilling, the relevant authorities and emergency responders.

Borr Drilling said preliminary information indicated the rig suffered a punch-through event during preload activities, resulting in the loss of stability and the sinking, Reuters reported. The rig, owned and operated by Borr Drilling, was contracted to support BW Energy’s drilling operations offshore Gabon.

“We are deeply concerned for those who remain unaccounted for and everyone affected by this incident,” Borr Drilling chief executive Bruno Morand said in the company’s statement. “Our immediate priority is supporting the ongoing search and rescue efforts and the welfare of all personnel involved.”

Production at BW Energy’s nearby MaBoMo facility has been shut down in accordance with standard procedure during ongoing drilling preparations. BW Energy said there had been no reported damage to the facility or related equipment, and no accidental discharge of harmful substances to the sea from the facility.

Sources: BW Energy | Reuters | NewsCentral