Fire Fire on Decommissioning Oil Rig Off Vietnam Quickly Contained

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Picture courtesy of VN Express

 

A fire ignited on the Song Doc oil rig, located off Vietnam's southernmost province of Ca Mau, on Wednesday afternoon during cleaning and dismantling operations. The incident occurred as part of decommissioning efforts by Petrovietnam Domestic Exploration Production Operating Co. Ltd (PVEP POC).

 

The fire started while a subcontractor was carrying out work on the old extraction rig at the Song Doc oil field. Fortunately, the blaze was swiftly controlled within 30 minutes, and no impact was reported on the surrounding environment or other oil and gas operations, according to PVEP POC.

 

The Song Doc oil field, discovered in 2006, is situated about 205 kilometers south of Ca Mau Cape. Known for its small-scale operation, it boasted a peak output of approximately 28,000 barrels per day. However, with the depletion of resources, the field ceased operations in February 2024, and no production activities were taking place at the time of the fire.

 

PVEP originally operated the field in partnership with two other investors. As extraction costs rose and output dwindled, the endeavor became economically unviable. Over time, the partners withdrew, leaving PVEP to handle operations alone since November 2013 to exploit the remaining resources. The field was officially shut down at the end of 2023, prompting the dismantling of the facilities.

 

An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway, conducted in collaboration with relevant authorities. The decommissioning process includes safely removing equipment and infrastructure no longer needed, ensuring no environmental harm. Despite the incident, PVEP remains committed to adhering to safety protocols to prevent further occurrences. The quick containment of the fire reflects the preparedness and efficiency of the response teams involved.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from [source] 2025-05-22