The Prospector 5 drilling platform sank at 20:37 local time on October 24, 2026, off the coast of Gabon. This incident occurred during jacking operations in preparation for BW Energy's drilling campaign in the Dussafu license area. At the time of the incident, there were 115 people on board the platform.
Details of the Incident and Rescue Search
According to initial information, the Prospector 5 platform experienced an incident known as a "punch-through" during pre-loading activities, which led to a loss of stability and the sinking of the platform. This platform is of the Friede & Goldman JU-2000E type and is capable of drilling in water depths of up to 400 feet and drilling depths of up to 35,000 feet.
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Following the incident, a large-scale search and rescue operation was launched, and so far, 110 personnel have been rescued. However, the fate of five personnel remains unknown, and their families are anxiously awaiting news.
Post-Incident Actions
The Borr Drilling emergency response team is working with local authorities and BW Energy to respond to the incident and support those affected. Borr Drilling has emphasized that their main priority is the safety and well-being of all individuals affected by this incident. Families can contact the provided phone number for more information.
BW Energy has also stressed the safety of its personnel and continues to support the search and rescue operations. Production at the MaBoMo facilities has been halted due to adherence to standard procedures during drilling preparation, but no damage to the facilities or related equipment has been reported.
Bruno Morn, CEO of Borr Drilling, expressed his concern for those still missing and stated, "Our immediate priority is to support ongoing search and rescue efforts and the well-being of all involved."
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