An offshore rig exploring possible deep-water oil and gas fields off Nigeria's coast for Chevron Corp. caught fire Monday, and the oil company said officials were still trying to account for all those working there.
Chevron said it was still investigating the fire, which occurred near its North Apoi oil platform, and which forced it to shut down.
"We immediately flew out people to the nearby North Apoi platform, and have been helping those needing any medical assistance," Chevron spokesman Scott Walker said in a statement.
Chevron did not immediately say what caused the fire. However, Nigeria's government believes a "gas kick" — a major build up of gas pressure from drilling — was responsible, said Levi Ajuonoma, a spokesman for the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp.
Chevron and other foreign oil companies in Nigeria pump crude oil in partnership with the state-run company.
Nnimmo Bassey, who runs an environmental watchdog group in Nigeria, said he had received reports from locals nearby that the fire was an industrial incident.
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