Chevron halts search for missing workers

ABUJA, Nigeria, Jan. 19 (UPI) -- Chevron announced it has abandoned efforts to find two workers missing from a drilling rig collapsing off the coast of Nigeria.

Chevron Nigeria Ltd., a subsidiary of the U.S. supermajor, said 152 workers were evacuated from the site when the K.S. Endeavor rig caught fire off the Nigerian coast this week. Two workers are missing.

"After three days of intensive search-and-rescue activities for our missing colleagues, I am saddened to report that our efforts have proven unsuccessful and, therefore, we have made the difficult decision to transition to a recovery operation," Chevron Nigeria Ltd. Managing Director Andrew Fawthrop said in a statement.

An investigation is under way into what caused the fire, though Chevron said evidence points to a failure of surface equipment. The rig, the company added, is partially collapsed.

Earlier this week a small sheen was visible near the site. Chevron said the sheen represented about 13 barrels of liquids. Plans to drill a relief well at the site are ongoing.

The rig is in shallow waters about 6 miles from the Nigerian coast.