Chevron Abandons Search for Missing Contractors at Nigerian Rig

Following the fire that broke out on Monday on a shallow water rig at Chevron’s Funiwa oil facility in southeast Nigeria. The company has had to call off its search for two missing contractors. 152 workers were evacuated from the site after it caught fire and began to collapse, but two workers were missing.

Andrew Fawthrop, managing director of Chevron's Mid-Africa Strategic Business Unit, stated that,
 “After three days of intensive search-and-rescue activities for our missing colleagues, I am saddened to report that our efforts have proven unsuccessful and, therefore, we have made the difficult decision to transition to a recovery operation.”

An investigation is under way into what caused the fire, though Chevron had said that early indications point to equipment failure as the cause of the fire.

Chevron is continuing its plans and preparations to drill a relief well and investigate the fire aboard the K.S. Endeavor, operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Ltd.