Latest news with #oilplatform
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Three dead in Chevron's Angolan oil platform fire
May 28 (Reuters) - A second person died from their injuries in hospital following a fire at a Chevron-operated oil platform offshore Angola, bringing the number of fatalities to three, government and company officials said late on Tuesday. Two workers were initially transferred to specialist units at hospitals in South Africa, while the body of a third worker is yet to be retrieved from the ocean and identified, officials added. Seventeen people were injured, four seriously, when the fire started at the deep-water Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) platform in the early morning hours of May 20. A government source told Reuters the accident occurred in the same week that the U.S. oil major was set to resume operations following a scheduled annual maintenance shutdown at BBLT, which produced its first oil in 2006. Chevron's Angolan business, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, did not confirm the expected return-to-service date, saying it did not comment on operational matters as investigations into the cause of the fire continue.
Bloomberg
5 days ago
- Business
- Bloomberg
Two Chevron Workers Die of Injuries From Angola Platform Fire
Two workers injured in a May 20 fire on a Chevron Corp. oil platform off the coast of Angola have died. The workers had been receiving medical treatment in South Africa, according to Angola's Petroleum and Minerals Ministry. The first died May 24, and the second succumbed to injuries on Tuesday.
Russia Today
21-05-2025
- Health
- Russia Today
Chevron oil platform catches fire off Angola coast
A fire erupted early Tuesday morning on the Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) offshore oil platform off the coast of Angola, injuring 17 workers during scheduled maintenance operations, according to the country's oil and gas regulator. The blaze broke out at approximately 3am local time on the basement deck of the multi-level structure. Operated by Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (CABGOC), a subsidiary of US energy giant Chevron, the facility was undergoing routine annual maintenance at the time. 'The cause of the fire is currently under investigation,' Angola's National Agency of Oil, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG) said in a statement, noting that CABGOC teams responded promptly and were able to successfully extinguish the flames. ANPG added that production at the site had been halted since May 1 as part of planned maintenance activities. All injured personnel were airlifted to onshore medical facilities for treatment. According to Jornal de Angola, six individuals were transported to the Sacred Hope Clinic in Luanda, where four remain in critical condition and two others are reported to be in very serious condition. An additional four victims are receiving care at Cabinda's General Hospital, where an acting clinical director stated that the patients had sustained mild burns. Speaking to Polygraph Africa, Cabinda's provincial health secretary, Ruben Buco, confirmed that several victims of the explosion were being treated at local healthcare centers. He reported no fatalities as of Tuesday, although medical evaluations were still underway. However, by Wednesday, Reuters reported – citing a statement from Chevron – that one person was missing in the aftermath of the fire. The BBLT, a drilling production platform situated approximately 60 miles (96.5 km) offshore from Cabinda, houses living quarters for up to 157 personnel.
CBC
15-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
An oversized oil project has floated away from Argentia. So what's next for the port?
Onlookers witnessed a feat of engineering last week when the massive base for the West White Rose fixed wellhead oil platform was floated away from its graving dock at Argentia, marking the end of a years-long construction project that anchored activities and dominated the landscape at the sprawling Placentia Bay port. The 210,000-tonne, 145-metre high concrete gravity structure, as it's called, will soon be towed to the Grand Banks, where it will be anchored to the sea floor in roughly 120 metres of water, and mated with a 25,000-tonne topside structure that will make its way from Texas. Oil production is scheduled to begin sometime next year. The milestone was a cause for celebration on many fronts, but it also raises questions about the port's future now that the Cenovus project in Argentia is complete. But at the port's administrative office this week, you won't find any unhappy faces. "[The] future is extremely bright," CEO Scott Penney said during an interview with CBC News. On Tuesday, there continued to be a buzz of activity at the port, with shipping containers being moved about by oversized forklifts, massive wind turbine blades being loaded onto an awaiting ship, and excavators and heavy trucks operating at a nearby recycling yard. Some 40 businesses operate at the port, employing more than 240 people, and if people like Penney get their way, Argentia will boom once again in the post-West White Rose era. Iron ore processing at Argentia? Penney and his team knew the Cenovus project would eventually end, and they have been busy marketing the port around the globe in recent years, and laying the foundation for a $100-million terminal expansion at Cooper Cove that is expected to break ground next year. The opportunities, Penney said, are cause for excitement. Imagine, for example, an iron ore processing plant at Argentia, on a scale similar to the nickel processing plant in nearby Long Harbour, powered by zero-emitting hydrogen made from wind energy at the port. Penney said he's in talks with an unnamed mining company for a scenario that would see iron ore from Labrador shipped to Argentia, where it would undergo secondary processing with minimal greenhouse gas emissions to create so-called "green steel." "Yes, we have absolutely had conversations. That's what I can tell you," said Penney, adding he's muzzled from disclosing any details by a non-disclosure agreement. Still hope for hydrogen A proposed wind-hydrogen-ammonia project at Argentia by Pattern Energy is stalled because of high production costs and undeveloped export markets, but talks of a partnership with a mining company is breathing new life into the hydrogen concept, said Penney. "Hydrogen is a viable option," he said. Pattern Energy is also keen on competing for a contract to supply wind energy to the province's power grid, with Newfoundland and Labrador Hydro expected to call for expressions of interest sometime this year, said Penney. The West White Rose project also leaves behind an important legacy in the form of a specialized graving dock, and a freshly dredged channel in the harbour to allow the CGS to be towed into Placentia Bay. Penney said this new infrastructure has allowed the port to be shortlisted for a "transitional energy" project that would involve years of construction activity, and generate much-needed employment. Again, Penney can only say so much, but said "the opportunity is real," with a decision before the end of this year. "We are shortlisted down to less than three, so that is quite encouraging for a port of our size to compete globally," he said. He also sees a role for the port in Equinor's Bay du Nord oil project. But much of this activity, if it occurs, is still years away. The provincial government is forecasting an uptick in unemployment over the next two years, and the jobless rate for members of the building and construction unions represented by Trades N.L. has now reached 70 per cent, according to executive director Bob Fiander. "We're in a bit of a lull right now," Fiander told CBC News recently. Key to province's growth Meanwhile, Argentia has evolved into a diverse port, supporting industries such as marine transportation, renewable energy, aquaculture, offshore oil and mining. Penney said the port has established partnerships with companies around the globe, and Argentia is now recognized in some of the leading boardrooms because of its strategic location, large footprint of more than 9,000 acres, ice-free access, and a skilled workforce. Penney believes Argentia will play a key role in the province's future growth, and that will also mean good things for the nearby Town of Placentia. "We remain optimistic that the next great project for this area will come," said Wayne Power, Placentia's deputy mayor. Placentia received about $2.5 million in grants from the oil companies for hosting the West White Rose project at Argentia, so the town is hopeful that more major projects are on the horizon. But for now, Power said there's a noticeable downturn in activity. "We're seeing vacancy rates here with our apartments. You're not seeing as many people around the community availing of businesses and services," he said.
Irish Times
14-05-2025
- General
- Irish Times
The Unforgiving Beira
Robbie's routine was as tiring as it gets on the Beira oil platform. Grab whatever breakfast leftovers in the cafeteria, enter out to the deck, and work wherever he was needed, fixing the electrics. Some days would be more forgiving, only needing to fix one or two fuses, other days were cruel and would drag him along the rig from dawn until dusk. Today happened to be one of those cruel days, with extra pouring rain! He wished he could cry. Speaking of … Robbie could hear just that, but it wasn't from himself. It was coming from the accommodations area. Robbie goes to investigate. It's coming from under the pool table … 'Hello?' '...' READ MORE 'If you stay there, Rennick will eventually find you! So – better to come out now!' A scrawny woman crawls out and stands up. She's pale, her cheeks sunken in. 'You're … not from our crew are you? What are you doing here? Are you a stowa-' 'I-I'm sorry! Yes – I-I snuck on to the rig and don't work here but I swear it's for a good reason! I swear – just – please don't report me.' 'Nonono – I can't help ya. My job means more to me than a criminal. I don't put my job on the line like a piece of fish bait.' The girl kneels in front of him, pleading with tears. 'Please … I can't go back to the mainland right now – I have nothing left there … please …' 'Geez … I ... urgh – fine. Fine, I'll help your sorry soul – but I'm won't give you the world or anything.' And so it was. For the next few weeks, Robbie would start getting up earlier so he and the stowa- … girl could split food evenly between them. He asked one day: 'So … what's yer name?' 'Carrie …' 'Right … Robbie.' And another day he asked: 'For someone so bony, ya sure do scoff down those eggs and bacon, eh?' 'Mhm ...' 'Not much of a talker, are ya?' '...' And one day, he said: 'You know, you remind me a bit of my daughter. 'Oh? What's her name?' 'Olivia … she's a little angel.' 'Ah … that's sweet.' But a week before Robbie's work finished … 'I got brekky! Eggs and ba-' The tray drops from his hands, the plates shattering into bits. 'Carrie?' But she was nowhere in his room. He sprints out, looking everywhere. Accommodations, the kitchen, but nothing. 'Robbie!' A voice called from outside. Two of his coworkers stood outside, holding Carrie by her arms. 'Care to explain who your friend is?' 'Let 'er go! She's done no harm!' 'Really? Caus' I heard from the police that this lil' lass is supposed to be on death row for murderin' her ma! Is that no harm, Robbie?' 'You what?' 'Rob, I can expla-' 'Look – you're a good pal to me Robbie, so I'll give you a choice. Either you get rid of her, or you deal with her and the police when we get back on land.' 'I …' 'My job means more to me than a criminal.'
