A Fire Incident at Song Doc Field Offshore Vietnam

On May 21, 2025, a fire broke out at the Song Doc field, an offshore platform operated by Petrovietnam Exploration Production Corporation (PVEP) off the coast of Southwest Vietnam. The field, which ceased production in February 2024, was undergoing decommissioning activities at the time of the incident.

Fortunately, the fire was swiftly extinguished within 30 minutes, causing no environmental damage or disruption to other exploration and production operations in the area. PVEP is currently working with relevant authorities to determine the cause of the fire.

Background on Song Doc Field

The Song Doc field, located in Block 46/02 in the Malay Basin, 144 kilometers southwest of Ca Mau province, was brought online in November 2008. The field was operated by the Truong Son Joint Operating Company (JOC), a partnership between Talisman, Petronas Carigali, and PetroVietnam.

An FPSO unit, the Song Doc Pride MV19, was deployed at the field from 2008 to 2017. This converted Panamax tanker had the capacity to process 30,000 barrels of liquid per day and store up to 360,000 barrels of oil.

Decommissioning Project

In 2024, Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) secured a contract for the comprehensive decommissioning of the Song Doc field. This project includes the design and construction of well plug and abandonment work, as well as the dismantling and relocation of the FPSO MV19 vessel.

The Song Doc decommissioning project represents a significant milestone for the Vietnamese oil and gas industry, paving the way for domestic and international service providers to engage in similar projects in the future.

Overall, while the recent fire incident at the Song Doc field is a cause for concern, the prompt response and successful containment of the fire demonstrate the industry’s commitment to safety and environmental protection in offshore operations.