Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has officially confirmed the death of seven workers as a result of a valve station explosion at Gbetiokun field which is located south east of OML 40. This was confirmed by NNPC on Wednesday, 8th of July; 2020.
The explosion occurred on Tuesday, 7th of July 2020 during the installation of a ladder on its platform. The explosion was at the Benin River Valve Station.
The explosion is due to operational factors. Furthermore, detailed accident investigation is ongoing to uncover the cause of the explosion.
Sources have confirmed that the deceased were contractors to NPDC by Weld Affairs and Flow Impact.
Gbetiokun field was discovered in 1987 and commenced production in July 2019 after an online purchase by Eland (following the mobilization of the early production facility- EPF). It is located in the Niger Delta region, southern Nigeria.
Gbetiokun is operated by a subsidiary of NPDC and Elcrest joint venture (Eland oil and gas and starcrest Nigeria Energy). NNPC, the operator of Gbetiokun holds 55% of the interest while Eland holds 45%.
Nigeria is the forerunner in Africa’s oil production with a production capacity of about two million barrel per day.
Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation in a statement disclosed that “all personnel onboard the platform had been accounted for”.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mallam Mele Kyari offers his condolences to the family of the bereaved in a statement earlier in the week.
1 Comment
Emmana Immortal
Hmmm…. pathetic