The capsized Panama-flagged oil Rig has been operating in Nigerian waters since 2016 without the requisite authorisations, the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).
According to the agency, it has in line with its mandate which includes safe shipping and cleaner oceans, dispatched a team comprising Search and Rescue and marine accident investigation officers to the scene of the incident involving the Majestic Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited, which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State.
The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed when it was towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 that belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State.
NIMASA has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all International Oil Companies (IOCs’) responsible for the cleaning of Tier 2 oil spill, to establish the level of spillage at the incident scene.
In addition, the Agency communicates with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incident within 24 hours in line with the Merchant Shipping Act 2007 provisions.
