On Jan. 16, 2012, a fire started aboard the shallow-water jack-up drilling rig KS Endeavor. Contracted by Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL) and operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Limited, the rig was drilling a natural gas exploration well approximately six miles (10 km) off the coast of Nigeria and in roughly 40 feet (12 m) of water.
There were 154 personnel on the rig and a support barge, and 152 were safely evacuated. Tragically, the fire claimed two lives.
On March 2, the fire at the well was extinguished when a portion of the well sealed itself.
On June 18, the well was sealed and abandoned after a relief well was drilled. CNL contracted with the Transocean rig Baltic to commence drilling the relief well on February 17, 2012. The relief well intersected the incident well at approximately 9,100 feet (2,774 m). Cement was pumped into the well to achieve a permanent seal.
CNL cooperated fully with all relevant Nigerian government authorities and provided support to many communities in proximity to the incident. Through independent consultants and regulatory agencies, CNL has continuously monitored the environment and has been in ongoing dialogue with the government, regulators and local communities.
The cause of the incident remains under investigation.
Latest Update
June 18, 2012
Chevron Completes Drilling of Relief Well Offshore Nigeria
Chevron Corporation said that its subsidiary, Chevron Nigeria Limited (CNL), has sealed and abandoned the shallow water Funiwa 1A natural gas well after completing the drilling of a relief well. Production at the North Apoi field, which had been shut in as a precaution, has also been restored and the field is now producing approximately 2,000 barrels of oil per day.