The Prospector 5 drilling rig, built in 2014, sank on October 24, 2026, at 20:37 local time in the coastal waters of Gabon. The rig was conducting jacking operations to support BW Energy's drilling activities in the Dussafu license when it suddenly sank due to an instability incident.
Details of the Incident
According to initial information, the Prospector 5 rig encountered a "punch-through" event during pre-loading activities, which led to the loss of its stability and the sinking of the rig. At the time of the incident, 115 people were on board, of whom 110 were safely rescued and transferred to shore. Search and rescue operations for the five missing persons are still ongoing.
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Post-Incident Actions
Borr Drilling, the owner of the mentioned rig, announced that search and rescue teams are continuing to collaborate with local authorities and BW Energy. The company also emphasized the importance of a comprehensive investigation into the causes of this incident and assured the families of the missing that they are in contact and necessary efforts are being made to find them. Borr Drilling is working with its officials and partners to provide the best possible support to the victims and their families.
Marine and aerial search teams are extensively operating in the coastal waters of Gabon, and all efforts to identify and rescue the five missing persons continue. This alarming incident has drawn attention to safety challenges in offshore drilling operations, and it is expected that the results of the investigations will help improve safety protocols in the future.
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