A fire aboard Chevron’s Benguela-Belize-Lobito-Tomboco (BBLT) oil production platform off the coast of Angola has left 17 workers injured, including four in critical condition, according to statements released by Chevron and Angolan authorities. The incident occurred in the early morning hours of Tuesday, May 20, 2025, while the facility was undergoing scheduled maintenance.
The fire broke out around 3:10 a.m. on the cellar (basement) deck of the multi-level platform, located in Block 14, approximately 60 miles offshore from the Cabinda coast. The injured were transported onshore and are now receiving medical care. The cause of the fire remains under investigation.
Potential Causes and Contributing Factors
While the specific cause of the fire has not yet been determined, Chevron confirmed that the BBLT facility had been shut down since May 1 as part of a planned turnaround for annual maintenance. Fires during such maintenance periods often stem from:
- Hot work operations (e.g., welding or cutting) conducted without proper isolation
- Residual hydrocarbons igniting due to failure in purging or gas detection systems
- Electrical faults in temporary lighting or maintenance equipment
- Procedural lapses or inadequate hazard communication between teams
The fact that the incident occurred on the lower deck during maintenance heightens concern over lockout/tagout enforcement, gas detection protocols, and whether adequate risk assessments or job safety analyses were performed in advance.
Risks and Safety Considerations
Fire is among the most serious hazards in the offshore oil and gas industry. Confined spaces, combustible materials, and remote locations compound the danger, often delaying response time and increasing the potential for severe injury or death.
This incident illustrates several ongoing safety concerns for offshore facilities:
- The heightened risks during maintenance shutdowns, when normal operations are suspended and safety systems may be temporarily offline
- The need for robust fire detection and suppression systems in all deck areas
- The importance of clear communication and procedural coordination across multi-contractor workforces
- The challenge of executing rapid medical evacuation in remote locations
Even with the fire extinguished quickly and all workers accounted for, the severity of the injuries — including four in critical condition — underscores the extreme hazards offshore workers face.
Legal Rights and Options
Offshore workers injured in incidents like this may have the right to pursue compensation under maritime law, particularly if employer negligence, unsafe working conditions, or equipment failure played a role. Because the platform often operates in international waters, the jurisdictional analysis is complex — but legal remedies may still be available.
Possible avenues of legal action include:
- Negligence claims under general maritime law
- Claims against third-party contractors involved in maintenance or repair activities
- Product liability if faulty equipment or machinery contributed to the ignition
- Employer liability for failing to follow established safety protocols or hazard assessments
An experienced offshore injury lawyer can help injured workers — or their families — understand their rights, preserve vital evidence, and hold responsible parties accountable.
Contact an Offshore Injury Lawyer
At Spagnoletti Law Firm, our attorneys have extensive experience representing offshore workers injured in fires, explosions, and other oil platform accidents. If you or a loved one has been harmed while working offshore, we are available to help you understand your legal options. Call 713-804-9306 today for a free consultation.