Saudi Aramco Offshore Platform Sinks, 3 Missing

Three Saudi Aramco workers are missing after one of the company’s offshore maintenance platforms sank on Friday.

The remaining 24 crewmembers onboard were saved, but some suffered injuries. A search is ongoing for the three others — two Indians and a Bangladeshi.

A statement from the oil giant said a thorough investigation into the incident would take place, adding that the company’s operations were not affected by the incident.

The platform sank as it was carrying out maintenance work at an oil well in Safaniya, the world’s largest offshore oilfield.

A local coast guard spokesperson said that his force was alerted to the incident around 19 nautical miles off Ras Al Khafji port. He confirmed that the coastguards were still searching for the three missing workers.

Discovered in 1951, the Safaniya field has a production capability of more than 1.2 million barrels per day. The company said Friday’s incident would not affect overall production at the field.