Oil barge catches fire near Hess rig

An oil barge operating at a rig belonging to U.S oil and gas firm Hess Corp. located 30 nautical miles away from Tanjung Perak seaport in Surabaya, East Java caught fire late on Thursday, Kompas online reported on Friday.

 

Maritime and coast security officers managed to douse the fire and will evacuate the ship to Tanjung Perak later on Friday.

 

Gresik seaport administrator Asmani said on Friday he had not received detailed reports on the accident, which apparently started from the chemical reservoir in the vessel. No fatalities were reported in the accident.

 

BPMIGAS’ deputy chairman for operational affairs Dody Hidayat told Petromindo.Com that the barge was used to support Hess' drilling activities. The drillilng  activities were suspended as a result of the fire. "The situation has been under control as of 1.50 p.m. No casualties are reported," Dody said.  (*)