LATEST Probe set to start into likely fatal Nigerian FPSO explosion

A senior official in Nigeria’s government has expressed concern about the explosion and fire at Shebah E&P’s Trinity Spirit FPSO this week offshore Warri State while noting that a probe into the incident will begin this weekend.

An explosion in the early hours of 2 February destroyed the FPSO, with the fate of a 10-man crew still unknown, although local reports said three bodies had been recovered and seven men remained unaccounted for.

Sharon Ikeazor, Minister of State for the Environment, said it is “worrisome to learn of an explosion and fire incident involving an FPSO” at the Ukpokiti oilfield in OML 108.

She said Nigeria’s National Oil Spill Detection & Response Agency (NOSDRA) has notified her that “a joint investigation of the incident is planned for this weekend,” before which the organisation hopes to have the fire under control.

NOSDRA is working with experts at Clean Nigeria Associates (CNA) to help handle what is described as a Tier 2 oil spill. There are three tiers of oil spill depending on the spill size as well as other factors.

CNA is a cooperative of oil companies – including supermajors and indigenous players – that respond to spill incidents and are currently mobilising to the shallow water incident area in order to protect the vulnerable mangrove ecosystem.

Also involved in the operation are other regulatory agencies including the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the newly created Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).

NOSDRA issued a short statement today stating that the agency “has been working closely with other stakeholders to ensure minimal environmental impact.”

Bashir Jamoh, NIMASA’s chief executive, said “we have despatched a joint investigation team of relevant agencies – NIMASA, NOSDRA, NUPRC and the environmental agencies of Ondo & Bayelsa States – for a preliminary assessment.”

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