Sunken Prospector 5 off Gabon contains 280,000 litres of diesel
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Infosgabon
The Prospector 5 drilling rig, which sank off Mayumba in southern Gabon, contained 280,000 litres of diesel, raising fears of marine pollution if it leaks. Authorities are continuing to monitor the site and plan underwater inspections to check the tanks and assess how to secure the wreck, according to Infosgabon, citing Sika Finance.
The Prospector 5 drilling rig, which sank off Mayumba in southern Gabon on 24 October, contains 280,000 litres of diesel, according to Sika Finance, cited by Infosgabon. No oil pollution was detected during the initial official assessments, but Gabonese authorities are continuing to monitor the area because of the risk of a leak from the wreck.
Underwater inspections are expected to examine the rig’s structure, check the condition of its tanks and assess whether the fuel can be recovered. Remotely operated equipment will be used to look for possible leaks and guide containment, recovery or clean-up measures, Infosgabon reports.
The diesel on board adds an environmental risk to the sinking of the Prospector 5, which authorities had already said would be investigated. The operations follow the sinking of the oil platform off Gabon on 25 October, and come as Gabon’s ministry set out the circumstances of the sinking on 26 October.
