A fire outbreak on Chevron’s Benguela Belize Lobito Tomboco (BBLT) offshore oil platform, located about 60 miles off the coast of Cabinda, Angola, has injured 17 people, with one person still missing.
According to a report by Reuters, the fire broke out around 3 a.m. local time on May 20, 2025.
Four of the injured individuals are in serious condition.
The BBLT platform, operated by Chevron’s subsidiary Cabinda Gulf Oil Company (CABGOC), was undergoing scheduled annual maintenance at the time.
Oil production had already been halted on May 1 due to the maintenance work.
The blaze reportedly originated in the basement deck of the multi-story offshore structure, which can accommodate up to 157 personnel.
Emergency response protocols were immediately activated, and the fire was successfully extinguished.
All injured personnel have been airlifted to onshore medical facilities for treatment.
Search and rescue efforts are ongoing for the missing individual.
CABGOC is working closely with Angolan authorities and contracting partners to investigate the incident and support those affected and their families.
The cause of the fire is currently under joint investigation by Chevron and Angola’s National Agency for Petroleum, Gas and Biofuels (ANPG).
Situated in Block 14 of the Lower Congo Basin, the BBLT platform is a critical asset in Angola’s offshore oil production.
This incident comes just days after Angola welcomed a new Floating Production Storage and Offloading (FPSO) vessel at the adjacent Agogo oil field in Block 15/06.