Devastating Fire at Vietnamese Offshore Oil Platform

Vietnamese officials have confirmed a devastating fire at the Song Doc offshore oil platform, marking the country’s first decommissioning project. The incident occurred on Wednesday, with reports indicating one fatality and several injuries. Although official statements did not confirm these casualties, the fire was swiftly brought under control within 30 minutes.

The Song Doc oil platform, a significant offshore development discovered in 2006 and brought into production in 2008 by PVEP POC, a subsidiary of Petrovietnam Exploration Production Corporation, alongside two investment partners. Despite its small-scale operations, producing a maximum of 28,000 barrels per day, the platform played a crucial role in the country’s oil production.

Following the departure of the two investment partners in 2013 due to high operational costs, PVEP POC assumed sole ownership and continued operations until the well was depleted in 2023. The platform officially ceased production in February 2024, with decommissioning plans approved by regulatory authorities.

During the decommissioning process, a subcontractor was conducting cleaning activities when the fire broke out. While the exact number of workers present on the platform remains unclear, videos from the scene depict firefighting efforts by a specialized fireboat. Despite the incident, the company assures no environmental pollution occurred, and nearby operations remained unaffected.

Located approximately 125 miles south of Ca Mau Cape in the Gulf of Thailand, the Song Doc platform’s fire is under investigation to determine its cause. The company remains committed to maintaining operational integrity and safety standards across its oil and gas projects in the region.