Nigeria: Funiwa Well Still Burning, but at Lower Rate, Chevron Says

Chevron Nigeria Ltd. is finalizing plans to commence drilling two relief wells to control the burning Funiwa Deep 1A well, offshore Nigeria.

The fire is still burning at the well, but at a diminished rate. Based on the condition of the well, the safest way to control the well is to drill a relief well to kill the well at reservoir depth.

Chevron is mobilizing two rigs and planning to drill two relief wells. The rigs are being provided by Transocean, on loan from ExxonMobil, and Noble, in cooperation with ENI and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation. It is estimated drilling could begin within the next 7 to 10 days.

“Chevron continues to monitor the well for impacts to the environment. The company has hired local community residents as beach walkers to monitor the shoreline. To date there have been no reports of crude oil on the beaches”. reads the statement at Chevron’s website.

On January 16, Chevron reported the fire outbreak aboard the K.S. Endeavor, a drilling rig offshore Nigeria operated by FODE Drilling Nigeria Limited. The rig was drilling a natural gas exploration well, located in the Funiwa Field approximately six miles (10 kilometers) offshore and in approximately 40 feet (12 meters) of water . Seven days later, on January 23 , the company said that “no rig structure can be seen above the water”.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 27, 2012; Image: Chevron