Local authorities in Angola have confirmed that a field service specialist employed by Tenaris, a multinational manufacturer, and supplier of steel pipes to the oil and gas industry, died as a result of Monday’s helicopter crash .
The company said earlier this week that one of its workers might have been on the fatal helicopter flight.
The helicopter, of a Bell 430 type and operated by Heli-Malongo, departed the Malongo Terminal in Angola’s Cabinda province on Monday but did not reach its destination at the Chevron-operated Tombua-Landana offshore platform. It was carrying six people, a pilot, and five passengers.
Tenaris informed on Thursday that its employee José Capita was in the helicopter when it crashed. Capita, a 38-year old Angolan citizen, joined Tenaris in 2010. He is survived by his wife and three children.
According to the company, authorities confirmed that Capita and the remains of three others were recovered and that search efforts continue for the two missing individuals.
However, AngoRussia, a news website based in Angola, reported that five people have already been identified. The news website claims, citing unnamed sources and witnesses, that two workers were employed by Schlumberger, and the other three by Tenaris, Weatherford, and CABGOC, which is a subsidiary of Chevron Corporation.
Offshore Energy Today Staff