The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC, has begun investigation into the cause of the explosion that led to the death of seven persons.
The incident occurred on Tuesday at Gbetiokun, OML 40, operated by the Nigerian Petroleum Development Company, NPDC, on behalf of the NPDC/Elcrest Joint Venture.
An installation of a ladder on a platform (Benin River Valve Station) for access during discharging of Gbetiokun production was being carried out when the incident happened.
According to a release issued by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Group General Manager, Group Public Affairs Division, Dr. Kennie Obateru, the bodies of the casualties had been deposited in a morgue in Sapele, while families of the personnel involved were being contacted by their employers: Weld Affairs and Flow Impact, which are consultants to NPDC.
The release stated that detailed investigation of the cause of the explosion had commenced, while the Department of Petroleum Resources had been duly notified and Form 41 was being prepared for the Industry regulator as required in circumstances of that nature.
The release stated that all personnel on board the platform had been fully accounted for.
NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, in the statement commiserated with the families of the bereaved, praying that God should grant them the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss of their loved ones.
