Update: The article has been updated to include information on a reported attack on oil tankers near the Iranian coast
An offshore platform, operated by Pars Oil and Gas Company (POGC), caught fire in the Persian Gulf offshore Iran on Wednesday.
According to the Iranian oil ministry’s news agency Shana, the platform SPD9 in the South Pars gas field caught fire around 3 p.m. local time Wednesday, but it was later put out by fireboards in the area.
The news agency further reported, citing CEO of POGC Mohammad Meshkinfam, that all the staff had evacuated the platform before the fire broke out, so there were no injuries reported.
Below is a video shared on Youtube, reportedly showing the SPD9 on fire:
While this fire has reportedly been put out, it is worth noting that there was another incident reported in the region on Thursday. Namely, Tradewinds has reported that two tankers owned by Frontline and Bernard Schulte have reportedly been “torpedoed.”
Bernhard Schulte has confirmed there was a security incident on board its managed products carrier the Kokuka Courageous in the Gulf of Oman, without going into the specifics on what actually happened.
The vessel is about 70 nautical miles from Fujairah and about 14 nautical miles from the coast of Iran.
“The 21 crew of the vessel abandoned ship after the incident on board which resulted in damage to the ship’s hull starboard side,” Bernhard Schulte said.
The Kokuka Courageous remains in the area and is not in any danger of sinking. The cargo of methanol is intact, Bernhard Schulte added.
Frontline has yet to release a statement, but it has been reported that its Front Altair tanker was attacked. Reuters on Thursday reported that the incident caused a spike in oil prices to over $61 a barrel.
This is a developing story which you can follow on our sister websites World Maritime News and Naval Today.
Offshore Energy Today Staff
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