BW Energy Suspends Gabon Operations After Offshore Rig Sinks

BW Energy has suspended production at its MaBoMo facility offshore Gabon after the Prospector 5 drilling rig sank during preparations for a planned drilling campaign on 24 October 2026.

The rig, owned and operated by Borr Drilling, sank during jacking operations on the Dussafu Marin licence. In its initial account, Borr Drilling said the rig experienced a loss of stability during preload activities, resulting in the sinking.

There were 115 people aboard the rig at the time of the incident. In an update issued on 26 October, Borr Drilling said 110 had been accounted for, while search-and-rescue operations continued for five people who remained unaccounted for. The company said its emergency response team was working with local authorities and BW Energy.

BW Energy said production at MaBoMo had been shut down in line with standard procedures during drilling preparations. The company reported no damage to the facility or related equipment and no accidental discharge of harmful substances into the sea.

Drilling Campaign Disrupted

Prospector 5 was preparing to begin a campaign involving five production wells. Four were planned for MaBoMo Phase 2, with another targeting the 10P2 area. Each well was expected to contribute approximately 5,000 barrels of oil per day.

The campaign forms part of BW Energy’s plans to develop its Dussafu licence in Gabon, where it holds a 73.5% interest. Panoro Energy holds 17.5%, while Gabon Oil Company owns the remaining 9%.

BW Energy reported net production of 16,800 barrels per day from Dussafu in the third quarter of 2026. Its total net production across its assets was 21,500 barrels per day during the same period.

The shutdown at MaBoMo puts planned drilling activity on hold while the response to the incident continues. The companies have not announced a revised timetable for the campaign.

MaBoMo and Dussafu Production

The Dussafu licence includes the Tortue, Hibiscus, Hibiscus South and Ruche fields. MaBoMo crude is transferred to the BW Adolo floating production, storage and offloading vessel, which supports production from the licence.

The rig incident comes as BW Energy advances other development work in the area. The company announced the Bourdon discovery in March 2025 and took a final investment decision on the project in May 2026. The development plan includes three production wells, with first oil targeted for the first quarter of 2028.

In April 2026, BW Energy also secured an extension of the Dussafu licence through 2053.

The incident has not been reported to have damaged the MaBoMo production facility, but the suspension means production there remains halted while the drilling operation is disrupted.

Investigation and Search Operations Continue

Borr Drilling said it was working with BW Energy and the relevant authorities to support affected personnel and investigate the cause of the incident. The company’s preliminary account identified a possible punch-through event during preload activities, but the cause remains subject to investigation.

As of its 26 October update, Borr Drilling said search-and-rescue operations were continuing for the five people still unaccounted for. The company said the 110 people who had been accounted for were being brought ashore in Gabon, where care and support were being provided.

The companies have not announced when drilling preparations at MaBoMo will resume or provided a revised start date for the five-well campaign.