The Management of Shebah Exploration and Production Company Ltd. (SEPCOL) has confirmed that three crew members of its offshore Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) facility which exploded on Wednesday have been found alive.

The company said one dead body was also recovered in the vicinity of the Trinity Spirit FPSO at the Ukpokiti field (OML 108) in Delta State.

It, however, kept mute on the fate of six other oil workers.

The oil firm had declared that 10 oil workers were on the assets as at the time the fire broke out.

Mr. Ikemefuna Okafor, Chief Executive Officer, SEPCOL (In receivership), confirmed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Lagos.

Okafor said: “We can confirm that three crew members have been found alive in the community and our priority is to ensure that they receive the appropriate medical attention they need.

“Furthermore, in the early hours of Feb. 6, one dead body was discovered in the vicinity of the FPSO. The identity of the dead body is yet to be ascertained.

“As earlier confirmed, the fire burnt out completely as of Feb. 3 thus enabling closer inspection of the vessel.”

He said a Joint Investigation Visit (JIV) with the relevant authorities, stakeholders, and expert organisations took place on Feb. 5.

Okafor said the focus of the joint efforts was to prioritise investigations toward establishing the whereabouts, safety, and security of the seven crew members still missing.

He added that it was also to clean up and limit damage to the environment, and establish the cause of the explosion.

Okafor lauded the assistance provided by the Clean Nigeria Associates, the Chevron team, government agencies and the people of the community, particularly the fishermen since the incident occurred.

He said “members of the public should continue to keep away from the area while our Crisis Management Team monitors developments in the investigations and update all stakeholders with new information accordingly.”

TheStar