The Organisation nationale des employés du pétrole (ONEP) has released a statement reacting to the accident on the Prospector 5 drilling platform, operated by Borr Drilling on the Dussafu Marin offshore permit of BW Energy. The union demands transparency on the circumstances of the accident and strengthened safety measures in the country's oil installations. According to the statement, 110 out of 115 people on board were rescued after the structure collapsed.
The accident, which occurred on October 28, 2026, left five people missing, including three Gabonese nationals and one Croatian citizen. An Indian national was reportedly declared dead after falling from a height. The ONEP expressed its condolences to the families of the victims and the survivors, praising the response of the rescue teams. The union also called for the continuation of search operations.
The ONEP supports the emergency measures announced by the Ministry of Petroleum, including the activation of a crisis cell, psychological support for survivors, and a technical investigation. However, the union demands to be associated with the work of the crisis cell, citing the tripartism promoted by the International Labor Organization (ILO). The ONEP also requests the publication of the investigation's conclusions.
Beyond the management of this situation, the ONEP recommends an in-depth audit of the safety devices on all offshore and onshore oil installations in the country. The union regrets the lack of implementing texts for the Labor Code on health and safety at work and calls for the reinforcement of the capacities of the controllers of the General Directorate of Hydrocarbons.
The ONEP also recalled the explosion that occurred on the Bécuna platform of Perenco on March 20, 2024, which killed six people. The union demands the publication of the results of the administrative and judicial inquiries into this previous accident. The ONEP's Secretary General, Sylvain Mayabi Binet, emphasized that "safety at work is not an option, it's a fundamental right."
The ONEP's demands highlight concerns about the safety of oil workers in Gabon. The union's call for transparency and improved safety measures comes as the country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the accident. The situation remains a priority for the authorities, with the Ministry of Petroleum working to ensure that the necessary measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The incident on the Prospector 5 platform has raised questions about the safety of offshore drilling operations in Gabon. The ONEP's recommendations for an audit of safety devices and reinforcement of controllers' capacities aim to prevent similar accidents from occurring. The union's vigilance on these issues is expected to increase in the coming days.
Key points
- The ONEP demands transparency on the circumstances of the accident and strengthened safety measures in Gabon's oil installations.
- The union requests the publication of the investigation's conclusions and the results of previous inquiries into oil-related accidents.
- The ONEP recommends an in-depth audit of safety devices on all offshore and onshore oil installations in Gabon.
