The Prospector 5 oil rig toppled into the sea off the coast of Gabon on Saturday night with 115 workers on board, leaving five people missing and triggering an ongoing search and rescue operation.
Footage shows the rig gradually sinking at around 8.30pm on Saturday night. Workers can be seen putting on life jackets and moving towards lifeboats as the structure disappeared into the water. Small enclosed lifeboats floated nearby as workers waited to be rescued.
Rig sinks during jacking operations
Borr Drilling Ltd, which operates the rig, confirmed that it sank at 8.37pm while carrying out jacking operations in preparation for a planned drilling campaign. The company said the rig experienced a "punch-through event during preload activities," leading to a loss of stability. A punch-through occurs when a leg breaks through the solid seabed into sediment below, causing the rig to topple.
The rig had previously worked in the North Sea off Scotland. Borr Drilling is contracted to support BW Energy's operations off Gabon.
Search and rescue underway
Of the 115 personnel on board, 110 are safe and accounted for, according to a statement from Borr Drilling. Search and rescue operations are ongoing for the five individuals who remain unaccounted for. Gabon's authorities have said five people are missing and have not confirmed any deaths, though it is reported that at least one worker has been killed and four others are missing, with three understood to be from Gabon.
Emergency services are carrying out search and rescue operations with the support of the Gabon navy. The 110 accounted-for personnel are being brought ashore in Gabon, where care and support are being provided.
Investigation launched
Gabon's Petroleum and Gas Minister Clotaire Kondja said an investigation has been launched into the cause of the incident. Borr Drilling's onshore emergency response team continues to work with local authorities and its customer to respond to the incident and search for missing personnel.
Four British nationals are believed to be receiving support from the Foreign Office in Gabon, and there are not thought to be any UK fatalities. A Foreign Office spokesperson said: "We are providing support to a number of British Nationals in Gabon and remain in contact with the local authorities."
Borr Drilling said it is working with partners and authorities to ensure a robust investigation is carried out, while the immediate priority remains the ongoing search and rescue efforts to locate the missing individuals.
