FPSO Blast Off Nigeria: 3 Crew Members Discovered Alive, 7 Still Missing & 1 Body Found

Three crew members on a Nigerian oil vessel that succumbed to a blast and sank last week were found alive. Seven continued to be missing, per the information shared by the ship operator.

Furthermore, during the early hours of Sunday 6 February, a dead body was found near the FPSO. The identity is yet to get ascertained.

A stringent Joint Investigation Visit or JIV with stakeholders, expert organizations, and relevant authorities took place on 5 February. The focus is on prioritizing investigations toward finding the whereabouts as well as the security and safety of the seven missing, cleaning up, limiting negative impact on the environment, and establishing the reasons behind such a blast.

FPSO trinity explosion twitter — Image Credits: Twitter

Ikemefuna Okafor, executive officer of the owner, Shebah Exploration & Production Company Ltd., better known as SEPCOL, mentioned that the firm would ensure that the crew members receive prompt medical attention.

The vessel boasted a processing capacity of about 22,000 barrels daily along with a storage limit of about two million barrels, per the official website of the company.

Some environmental campaigners have expressed fears of massive spills but Idris Musa of NOSDRA, the country’s spill detection agency, informed AFP that there was no spill incident other than a small quantity of emulsified oil.

Nevertheless, the agency is keeping a close watch.

Even though it is Africa’s biggest crude producer, similar accidents are frequent in the oil and gas industry of Nigeria, even though they more likely happen on land.

The company has urged members of the public to keep away from the site, while its crisis management team continues to monitor the developments in investigations and updates stakeholders with up-to-date information.

Reference: channelstv.com

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