Perro Negro 6 Sinks Offshore Angola

Perro Negro 6 Sinks Offshore Angola

Saipem S.p.A. reported Tuesday that the Perro Negro 6 (350' ILC) sank offshore Angola after the seabed collapsed under one of the rig's three legs.

The rig sank Monday night while being positioned for drilling operations near the mouth of the Congo River at the border of Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo in approximately 130 feet (40 meters) of water, Saipem said in a press release.

One hundred and three workers were on board the rig when the Perro Negro suddenly tilted, causing the rig to take on water and capsize. One crew member is missing, and six other workers suffered minor injuries, Saipem reported.

Saipem's emergency response team is working closely with the Angolan authorities and the client's operational team, Saipem said.

The Perro Negro is under contract with Chevron Corporation through early 2015 at a day rate in the upper $110,000s, according to Rigzone's RigLogix database.



WHAT DO YOU THINK?


Generated by readers, the comments included herein do not reflect the views and opinions of Rigzone. All comments are subject to editorial review. Off-topic, inappropriate or insulting comments will be removed.

Martin Keenan-Shamlian, Ph.D.  |  August 30, 2013
In HSSEQC you get who you pay for. Fact, Operators in West Africa have rejected a number of my colleagues based on salary requirements and went for lower-cost much less experienced HSE personnel. It is not a slam on these folks, just a statement that when you work in countries with a very limited developing Safety Culture experience which only can come from age needs be working there, or at least with guidance from Independent HSSEQC Consultants with decades living and working Offshore. Safety Case, RM, RA, JSA, could have prevented this catastrophy. Loss of 1 life is too much.
James Drouin  |  July 08, 2013
If they were conducting pre-load operations at night, with a near-full crew on board, there are serious, really, really, REALLY serious competency issues in that operation. Both on the Operator and Contractors part.
Dale Barker  |  July 07, 2013
Working in Nigeria and Angola, these area are known for their soft silty bottoms, these rivers deposit this soft silt onto the bottom as it enters the sea, some of our rigs had over 100 ft of penetration before finally achieving full preload, i wonder what was their air gap at the time of the punch through? or as they say now "rapid penetration" of course not being there one can only guessimate. sorry for their losses
Dennis  |  July 05, 2013
I survived absolutely or almost the same accident Id say. When you are busy working and know exactly what to do you have no time to be scared. It got a little scary right on the last lag so to speak when you realize that now this is the second when you either die or stay alive...


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