Fire Breaks Out on Chevron Oil Platform Near Cabinda

In the early hours of May 20, a fire broke out on Chevron's Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) offshore oil platform, situated around 97 kilometers off the coast of Cabinda. The fire started at approximately 0200 GMT on the basement level of the multi-level drilling and production facility, which is part of the Block 14 concession.

A total of seventeen workers were injured, including four with serious injuries. Chevron, the U.S.-based energy company, confirmed that all personnel were safely accounted for and no deaths occurred.

Angola’s National Agency for Petroleum, Gas, and Biofuels stated that all those hurt have been transported to land for medical treatment and observation.

At the time of the incident, the BBLT platform was undergoing routine maintenance during a planned operational shutdown, which had already begun on May 1 with production temporarily halted.

Chevron and Angolan authorities have launched a joint investigation to determine the cause of the fire.