Explosion Rocks Chevron’s Oil Rig In Bayelsa

A strange explosion yesterday rocked an oil rig belonging to Chevron Nigeria Limited located close to the Sangana Community of Brass Local Government area of Bayelsa State jus as the development led to the mysterious disappearance of two persons identified as expatriate workers. 
While some community sources claimed that the explosion was due to massive eruption gas triggered from a drilling machine, others alleged that the explosion occurred from a new gas well head at Funawa 5 along the Koluama River in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Another report claimed that the explosion occurred as a result of a fire from an oil Barge under repair with some workers of Chevron working on the rig. The spark of fire from the Barge was said to have spread into the oil rig and exploded.
LEADERSHIP gathered that about 213 workers present on the facility during the explosion were evacuated from the scene. Another source working with an oil servicing company involved in the drilling exercise, told the LEADERSHIP that two expatriates and one Nigerian are still missing after the evacuation.

According to sources from the oil servicing firm , the rig is named K.S Endeavour, and is operated by Chevron at its Pennington Field in Bayelsa State. The oil rig also serve three oil platforms in the area.

Investigations showed that the explosion occurred between 4.30am and 5am on Monday and was reported to be an accident. Some of the evacuated workers confirmed on telephone that the drilling exercise encountered technical problems when working on the new gas well head.
The inability of the workers to contain the gas pressure reportedly led to the explosion that created panic in the communities around the area.

A community leader from a neighboring community also told LEADERSHIP on the telephone that the explosion caused panic among indigenes, following the threat of possible occupation of oil facilities by ex-militant youths over the alleged pressure by certain political interest to destabilise the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan.

He said, “We heard a big bang that shook our community. The next thing we saw was fire coming out of the Chevron rig. The thing happened at about 4.30am. When we inquired, they said they were working on a new well head. There was no sabotage. Nobody went to attack them.
“Up till now, the fire is still burning. The entire rig has been burnt down. They tried to stop it but it went out of control. We know that the company is drilling a new well head that contains only gas in our area.

Contacted on the development, the General Manager, Public and Government Affairs of Chevron, Mr. Femi Odimabo, said no casualty was recorded. He said, “There was no explosion. It was a fire incident at the Finuwa Field. The name of the rig is KS Endeavour. It is owned by Fode Drilling. All workers are being evacuated.”




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