Borr Drilling’s Prospector 5 jackup drilling rig sank late on Saturday, October 24, 2026, off the coast of Mayumba, Gabon, during jacking and preload operations. Of the 115 personnel on board, 110 have been safely accounted for.
Initial company statements reported five unaccounted for; subsequent reports indicate one fatality and four still missing.
The incident occurred at approximately 20:37 local time (19:37 GMT) in the Dussafu Marin permit area near the MaBoMo (also referred to as Mabomont) production facility.
Preliminary information from Borr Drilling indicates that the rig experienced a punch-through event—one of its legs unexpectedly penetrated the seabed—during preload activities. This led to a loss of stability and the subsequent sinking of the rig.
The Prospector 5 had not yet begun drilling and was preparing for a planned campaign supporting BW Energy’s operations.
Borr Drilling, the owner and operator of the rig (contracted to BW Energy), activated its onshore emergency response team and is coordinating with local authorities, the Gabonese navy, and BW Energy on search and rescue efforts.
In a statement, Borr Drilling CEO Bruno Morand said: “We are deeply concerned for those who remain unaccounted for and everyone affected by this incident. Our immediate priority is supporting the ongoing search and rescue efforts and the welfare of all personnel involved.”
Family members seeking information can contact +44 (0)1224 087026.
According to Sylvain Mayabi Binet, secretary general of Gabon’s National Organization of Petroleum Employees (ONEP), one of the five initially missing—an Indian national—has been found dead. The four still missing are reported as three Gabonese nationals and one other expatriate. Some accounts note that Gabonese authorities have not independently confirmed the fatality and continue to describe five personnel as missing while search operations remain underway.
Gabon’s Ministry of Petroleum and Gas has activated a crisis unit involving the ministry, the navy, state oil company Gabon Oil, BW Energy, and Borr Drilling. Petroleum and Gas Minister Clotaire Kondja ordered intensified search and rescue at sea and a technical investigation. The accident took place around 21:40 local time per ministry details.
BW Energy confirmed the incident and stated that production at the MaBoMo offshore facility was shut down under standard procedures for drilling preparations. There were no reports of damage to the facility or related equipment, nor any accidental discharge of harmful substances into the sea. Panoro Energy, which holds a 17.5% stake in the Dussafu licence (BW Energy holds 73.5%), also noted the production halt and lack of reported damage or discharges.
Search and rescue operations continue. This is a developing situation; official casualty figures and the full cause of the incident remain subject to ongoing investigation and updates from authorities and the companies involved.