One missing after fire at Chevron platform offshore Angola
Four people in 'severe condition' after incident on Benguela-Belize-Lobito-Tomboco facility
One person is reported missing after Tuesday's fire at Chevron's Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) platform offshore Angola.
In a statement sent to Upstream, the US major said its Cabinda Gulf Oil Company Limited (Cabgoc) subsidiary "has verified that one individual is currently reported missing."
The operator said Cabgoc continues to work closely with the relevant government agencies and to conduct search and rescue operations," adding that "the safety and well-being of our workforce remains our highest priority."
It added that Cabgoc is collaborating with its contracting partners to provide support to the impacted individuals and their families.
On Tuesday, Chevron said 17 individuals sustained injuries, four of whom were in a severe condition, after a fire on BBLT facility.
At approximately 3:10am yesterday, a fire occurred on the cellar deck of the BBLT platform.
All the injured were stated to be onshore and receiving medical attention, with Chevron at the time reporting that "all personnel on board have been accounted for."
The cause of the incident is under investigation.
Yesterday''s statement said the "top priorities" of Cabgoc "are ensuring the safety of all personnel and determining the root cause of the incident."
At the time of the incident, the BBLT facility in Block 14 was undergoing annual maintenance within a scheduled turnaround plan and all production at the site had been shut-in since 1 May 2025, according to the US supermajor.
Chevron added that: "Cabgoc personnel responded immediately and successfully extinguished the fire. Our emergency protocols were activated to implement emergency response procedures and notify the relevant authorities."
ANPG, Angola's upstream regulator, said it "reiterates its commitment to the well-being of the (individuals) and remains focused on ensuring effective and transparent communication with all stakeholders."
It added that the main priorities of Angola's Ministry of Mineral Resources, Oil & Gas, the agency and Chevron "are to ensure the safety of all personnel, ensure the best follow-up to the injured and determine the root cause of the incident."
Installed in 396 metres of water, the BBLT platform is an unusual design, called a bottom-fixed compliant tower.