Worker missing after rig sinks off Angola

July 5, 2013
Saipem said it was searching for a missing Bulgarian worker following the July 1 sinking of a jack up drilling rig near the mouth of the Congo River between Angola and Congo (former Zaire).

Saipem said it was searching for a missing Bulgarian worker following the July 1 sinking of a jack up drilling rig near the mouth of the Congo River between Angola and Congo (former Zaire).

The drilling contractor said the seabed collapsed beneath one of three legs of the Perro Negro 6 rig during positioning before the start of drilling in about 40 m of water.

The rig tilted suddenly and sustained hull damage, allowing water intake. A crew of 103 was evacuated before the rig capsized and sank. Besides the missing crew member, six workers had minor injuries.

On July 4 Saipem said the wreck showed no sign of spills.

According to Saipem’s web site, the Perro Negro 6 was working in Angola under a 3-year contract with Chevron Corp., which operates in the country through its subsidiary, Cabinda Gulf Oil Co. Ltd.