Reports indicate that the accident resulted in the deaths of four crew members, with six still unaccounted for.
According to the Egyptian Petroleum Ministry, a drilling rig has sunk in the Gulf of Suez. The ministry cited the company operating the barge. Local news source Al-Youm as-Sabia reports that four of the 31 crew members died and six are still missing.
The ministry stated that the drillship, named Adam Marine 12, capsized on Tuesday evening in the Mount Oil area of the Red Sea, approximately 300km south of the Suez Canal. The ministry obtained this information from the Offshore Shukheir Oil Company (OSOCO).
Reuters reported, citing industry sources, that the vessel was operating in a concession owned by ADES, an offshore drilling service provider, where it was drilling several wells. ADES had reportedly contracted OSOCO to carry out drilling operations using the barge, which was being moved to a new location when the accident occurred.
The ministry has stated that it is closely monitoring the situation and is taking necessary actions in cooperation with relevant authorities and its regional affiliates.
Since late 2023, the Red Sea and the Suez Canal, a crucial waterway connecting Europe and Asia, have experienced instability due to attacks by Yemen-based Houthis on tankers and other commercial vessels. This has disrupted maritime traffic in the area.
The Suez Canal is a critical artery for global shipping. Kpler’s data shows that the Red Sea typically handles 10-12% of global crude exports and 14-15% of oil product exports, including gasoline and diesel.
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