The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has reported an explosion at Gbetiokun, OML 40 operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), on behalf of the NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture, leading to the death of seven persons.
The incident reportedly occurred on Tuesday in the course of installing a ladder on a platform (Benin River Valve Station) for access during discharging of Gbetiokun production.
Seven fatalities, according to a statement by the Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, occurred.
The statement noted that detailed investigation into the explosion has commenced, while the Department of Petroleum Resources has been duly notified and Form 41 was being prepared for the Industry regulator as required in circumstances of this nature.
The bodies of victims, he said, have been deposited in a morgue in Sapele, while families of the personnel involved are being contacted by their employers – Weld Affairs and Flow Impact – which are consultants to NPDC.
Obateru further said all personnel on board the platform have been fully accounted for.
The NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, in the statement commiserated with the families of the bereaved, praying that God grants them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones.