An incident occurred on the gas site of Vridi, Côte d'Ivoire, on Saturday, October 31, 2026, at 7:25 am. A gas leak on the return line of sphere 1 at the PETROCI installations sparked a fire. The incident was quickly responded to, and the site was secured by multiple specialized structures, including the Société ivoirienne de raffinage (SIR), Société de gestion des stocks pétroliers de Côte d'Ivoire (GESTOCI), and the Groupement des sapeurs-pompiers militaires (GSPM).
The emergency plan was activated immediately after the incident was detected. Several teams were mobilized to manage the situation and secure the site. The fire was brought under control and eventually extinguished at 9:46 am, approximately two hours and 21 minutes after the incident began. Fortunately, no casualties or loss of life were reported.
The Direction générale de PETROCI released a statement confirming that an evaluation of potential material damage is currently underway. Investigations have also been launched to determine the exact causes and circumstances of the incident. At this stage, no official explanation has been provided for the origin of the leak.
Despite the incident, PETROCI has reassured the public that the supply of butane gas to the national market will continue uninterrupted. The company stated that distribution is proceeding normally, and no disruptions are anticipated. PETROCI has expressed gratitude to all technical partners and teams involved in responding to the incident for their prompt reaction and contribution to containing the situation.
The incident highlights the importance of safety in industrial installations and risk prevention in the hydrocarbon sector. PETROCI has reaffirmed that protecting people and the security of its infrastructure are top priorities. The conclusions of the technical investigations will provide further details on the circumstances of the incident.
The response to the incident involved collaboration between various agencies, including the Police nationale and the Gendarmerie nationale. Their efforts helped prevent any escalation of the situation and ensured public safety. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential risks associated with industrial operations and the need for vigilance.
PETROCI and relevant authorities will continue to investigate the incident and assess its impact. The company's commitment to safety and the well-being of its employees and the surrounding community remains paramount. Further updates on the incident and its aftermath are expected to be provided as more information becomes available.
Key points
- No casualties were reported in the incident.
- The incident was quickly contained and extinguished.
- An investigation into the causes of the incident has been launched.
