Majestic Rig belonging to Depthwize Nigeria Limited and operated by Seplat Energy, which capsized at Ovhor in Warri, Delta State, is Panama Flagged and has been operating on Nigerian waters since 2016 without requisite approvals from the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA).

The agency disclosed this on Wednesday in a statement signed by Osagie Edward, Assistant Director, Public Relations.

“The ABS Classed inland Water Drilling 232 feet-long Barge, with a rated drilling depth of 30,000 feet collapsed where it was been towed from N04, 30:34 / E00543:57 enroute Ovhor 21 that belongs to SEPLAT Oil field in Delta State,” the statement said.

It added: “NIMASA has initiated contact with the Clean Nigerian Associate, a conglomerate of all International Oil Companies (IOCs’) responsible for the cleaning of Tier 2 oil spill, to establish the level of spillage at the scene of the incident.

“In addition, the agency is in communication with officials of SEPLAT Energy Limited chatterers of the ill-fated Rig who are expected to officially report the incidence within 24 hours in line with the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act 2007.”

•The collapsed Seplat rig