Missing FPSO Crew Member Found Dead
FPSO unit Cidade de São MateusOne of the four missing Brazilian personnel of the FPSO unit Cidade de São Mateus has been found deceased, bringing the total number of fatalities up to six persons, the vessel’s operator BW Offshore said in an update.
The Brazilian crew member, found on-board the unit Monday evening, is being transported to shore and released to his family as soon as possible, BW Offshore added.
Three Brazilian crew that were reported missing after the explosion on board the FSPO unit remain unaccounted for.
The search and rescue operations for the missing personnel is continuing.
The explosion took place on Wednesday, February 11, 2015 at 12:50 local Brazilian time.
The unit is operated for Petrobras by BW Offshore on the Camarupim and Camarupim Norte fields in Espirito Santo littoral approximately 120 km from the coast.
According to Brazilian oil regulator ANP, the total number of injured in the blast was 26.
Five personnel continue to receive medical attention in the hospital.
The company said that the bodies of the four Brazilian crew and one Indian crew have been released to their families.
ANP ordered state-run oil company Petrobras to study ways to boost output on the floating natural gas and oil production ship a week before a deadly explosion on Wednesday, Reuters said citing agency documents.
Accordingly, the condition to approve development plan for the Camarupim and Camarupim Norte natural gas fields, was a study into ways to boost FPSU Cidade de Sao Mateus’ production capacity.
Investigation into the cause of the explosion underway
Production has been stopped and the unit has been shut down, the company said. ANP issued an order to Petrobras to seal off most access to its damaged offshore platform, prohibiting any repair or structural changes to the damaged areas of the unit that aren’t immediately necessary for the integrity of the vessel.
ANP issued the order so it can complete its investigation into the explosion.
Initial estimates show that the explosion was caused by a gas leak in one of the machinery spaces.
No oil leak was reported.
World Maritime News Staff
