Five Missing as Borr Drilling Rig Sinks Off Gabon in Punch-Through Incident
Search and rescue operations continue for five workers after the Prospector 5 jack-up rig sank during pre-drilling.
Search and rescue teams are still combing the waters off Gabon’s coast after a drilling rig sank on October 24, leaving five workers missing. The Prospector 5, a jack-up rig built in 2014 and operated by Borr Drilling, capsized at around 8:37 p.m. local time during pre-drilling operations.
Out of the 115 people aboard, 110 were rescued and taken ashore for medical evaluation. The rig was under contract to BW Energy for a planned drilling campaign at the Dussafu Marine license but had not yet started drilling when the incident occurred.
Cause of the Sinking: Borr Drilling
Initial reports indicate the rig experienced a punch-through, a dangerous event where one or more of its legs suddenly break through unstable seabed layers. This can cause a rapid loss of balance, which appears to have led to the rig’s sinking. The vessel was performing jacking operations to prepare for drilling when the accident happened.
Bruno Morand, CEO of Borr Drilling, stated that the company’s priority remains the rescue effort and supporting those affected. Gabonese authorities have launched an investigation to determine the exact cause of the incident.
Ongoing Search and Environmental Impact
As of October 26, search teams, including Gabon’s navy, continue efforts to locate the five missing workers. Borr Drilling has activated its emergency response team and is working closely with local authorities and BW Energy to coordinate the operation.
The Gabonese government confirmed no environmental damage or pollution from the sinking. Production at BW Energy’s nearby MaBoMo facility remains unaffected, as the rig had not yet begun operations.
NJ Ayuk, Executive Chairman of the African Energy Chamber, expressed solidarity with the missing workers and their families, offering support on behalf of the continent’s energy sector.
Sign up free to ask CAMAL AI for a summary, the key points or anything else about this story.
Related stories
CAMAL AI
Financial Ports Newsletter
The maritime economy, every morning
Ports, shipping and freight markets in one short email. Free.
