Seplat's rig collapses, one dies, three others missing

The rig of Nigerian oil and gas independent Seplat Energy has collapsed, killing one person with three others still missing in the Niger Delta on Tuesday.

Seplat Energy confirmed the incident on the Depthwise swamp rig Majestic took place while it was in transit to its planned drilling location at Ovhor oilfield in the OML 38 block in the northwestern Niger Delta.

According to the oil company, “Seplat Energy regrets to announce a serious incident on the Depthwise swamp drilling rig Majestic in the early hours of this morning. Seplat as the operator of the SEPLAT/NNPCL joint venture contracted the rig,” the company said in a statement, adding that the remaining 92 crewmembers have been accounted for and are safe.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the crew member who sadly lost his life and the three crew members who are still missing at the time of this report. Our emergency response and rescue efforts working alongside the rig owner and the authorities have been activated and are onsite.”