NUPRC confirms ongoing rescue operations 
Contrary to media reports, Seplat Energy has announced that the ‘Majestic’ rig, which collapsed near Ovhor oilfield, Delta State, is owned by Depthwize Nigeria Limited and not Seplat.

This clarification was made in a statement by the company yesterday. The statement noted: “As stated in our previous announcement, the rig was on transit to its next drill location at Ovhor. Seplat is the operator of OMLs 4, 38 & 4, on behalf of Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited/Seplat (NNPCEPL/Seplat) Joint Venture.

“Seplat, alongside Depthwize, is continuing the search for the three missing crew members. Divers and other emergency services are on site, and as at 9.00 a.m., the missing crew members remain unaccounted for.

“For the other 92 crew members, 10 were admitted to the hospital overnight. We are pleased to say the 10 crew members have now been discharged. Seplat wil continue to support Depthwize with the emergency response and rescue efforts to save the lives of the missing crew members.”

According to the statement, Depthwize has notified Seplat that the single recorded fatality was a British national. It noted that the families of the deceased and the three missing crew members have been informed by Depthwize.

It said that Seplat has notified authorities about the incident, as it continues to comply with all regulatory requirements.

MEANWHILE, the Nigeria Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NUPRC) has confirmed that search and rescue operations of the personnel on board the capsized drilling rig have commenced.

In a statement, yesterday, NUPRC management said it was formally notified by Seplat about the incident.
The agency said that the Depthwize Majestic Rig (DMR) was contracted by Seplat Energy to drill Ovhor-21 well at a swamp location in Delta.

It explained that the rig completed the drilling of Gbetiokun-11 for NEPL and was demobilised on August 9.

It said: “Thereafter, the rig commenced rig-move from Gbetiokun-11 well location to the planned Ovhor – 21 well location. Unfortunately, the rig capsized while on transit, and was partially submerged at about 5.00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 15.”

“Seplat Energy has also submitted Incident Notification Form 41 to the Commission as statutorily required, as it has commenced preliminary and detailed investigation on the incident.”