VIDEO: Three Workers Missing after Oil Rig Fire, Oil Spill Averted
Abkatun Permanente platform Three workers are still unaccounted for after the explosion and subsequent fire on Pemex-owned Abkatun Permanente oil processing platform situated in the Gulf of Mexico.
Two of the missing workers were employed by Cotemar, a Mexican oil services company whereas the remaining one was working for Pemex.
Four people were killed and 45 injured in the fire that followed a massive explosion on Wednesday on the platform situated in the Campeche Sound.
The deceased have been identified as three Cotemar’s employees and one of Pemex.
Pemex added that three of seven workers admitted to the General Hospital in Ciudad del Carmen have been discharged. Two of the 45 injured platform workers are reported to be in serious condition.
The company further added that the fire did not cause an oil spill at sea. As informed only a runoff of hydrocarbon has been released which is being contained by specialized vessels.
The company’s officials stated that it was possible to avoid the spill as feeder lines could be turned off on the porcessing platform which would not be the case at an active oil well.
According to Pemex Director General Emilio Lozoya, the fire would have a minimal impact on production, as production from nearby wells could be rerouted to other processing platforms thus meeting the customers’ needs.
Lozoya said the explosion appeared to have been set off by some kind of mechanical problem, however; he added that the cause was being investigated.
The massive fire was extinguished late Wednesday by 10 firefighting and emergency boats.
Mexican oil giant denied claims that the Abkatun Permanente platform had collapsed, saying that it still stands on its feet.
Loading at the Caryo Arcas Terminal is suspended until further notice, following the fire on at the Abkatun Permanente production platform.
World Maritime News Staff
