Three Missing After Blowout And Blaze On Platform At China’s Largest Offshore Oilfield

Fire still raging late on Thursday at facility on field where CNOOC Ltd is joined by ConocoPhillips

Three crew members are missing after a well blowout and fire on a platform in China’s Bohai Bay this week that has halted operations at China’s largest offshore oilfield, where state-controlled giant CNOOC Ltd is partnered by US independent ConocoPhillips.

The blaze hit wellhead platform V on the Penglai 19-3 field on Monday after the blowout in well V29, sources familiar with the incident told media.

The fire was still raging late on Thursday, the sources said.

The blowout and fire occurred during drilling operations when 102 crew members were on board the platform.

Operator CNOOC Ltd immediately evacuated 99 crew, with three reported missing.

It is not clear if the fire has caused any oil spill.

CNOOC Ltd has not respond to a request for comment from Upstream.

The company has mobilised vessels to extinguish the fire and prevent any potential oil spillage.