One Person Missing After Fire on Chevron’s BBLT Oil Platform

The Angolan National Agency for Oil, Gas and Biofuels has revealed that one person was missing following a fire on Chevron’s deepwater Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) oil platform.

The fire broke out on May 20 around 3 am local time in the basement of the multi-story production platform, which has living quarters for approximately 157 people. Initially, it was reported that all personnel had been accounted for.

A fire at the facility left 17 injured, including four critically. All of the injured workers were transported onshore and received medical care. The fire was successfully extinguished, and its cause is under investigation.

The US supermajor said the incident happened while the platform, operated by its Angolan arm, Cabinda Gulf Oil Company, was undergoing annual maintenance as part of a scheduled shutdown. Production was halted on May 1.

The Agency said yesterday that, contrary to initial statements, one person has been reported missing following the incident.

“Government entities and Cabinda Gulf Oil continue to work closely together to mobilise resources to conduct search and rescue operations. The safety and well-being of the workforce remain a priority,” the Agency said in a statement.