Originally posted at OilOnline.com on January 16, 2012.

Two workers are unaccounted for after a fire erupted at a jack-up rig located at Chevron Nigeria’s Funiwa field, the company confirmed 16 January 2012.

‘Search and rescue has successfully found 152 of 154 personnel,’ said Scott Walker, spokesman for Chevron Africa and Latin America, in an emailed statement to OilOnline.com. ‘We expect all of those rescued to be onshore and checked medically by 8pm. The fire is still burning. Early well control activation is ongoing.’

According to a release by Fode Drilling, the fire is thought to have broken out around 5 or 6 a.m. local time on the K.S. Endeavour jack-up rig, which was contracted by Chevron from Fode. Chevron said that rig and support barge personnel were evacuated to nearby North Apoi platform for medical assistance. Production at Apoi was halted due to its proximity to the fire. No cause has been identified.

‘We are still investigating the incident and are working to fully understand what happened,’ Walker said. ‘Our primary focus continues to be the safety and security of our workforce, including employees and contractors.’

Chevron initially reported that no spill occurred during the fire, but the company has now confirmed that sheen has been noticed in the vicinity of the gas well.

The Funiwa field is in Oil mining lease 86. Chevron operates the lease with 40% on behalf of Nigerian National Petroleum Corp., which holds 60%.