At sea and at risk: Offshore tragedies that stunned the world

SHAH ALAM - The deaths of three contractor personnel during maintenance work at the Sepat offshore facility have once again highlighted the dangers faced by offshore oil and gas workers.

Despite advancements in technology and safety systems, offshore operations remain among the world’s most hazardous industries, with workers constantly exposed to heavy machinery, extreme weather, high-pressure systems, fires, explosions and confined working environments.

Here are some of the most tragic offshore incidents recorded globally since the 2000s:

1. Petrobras P-36 disaster (Brazil - 2001)

The Petrobras P-36 semi-submersible oil platform suffered multiple explosions before eventually sinking in the Atlantic Ocean. Eleven workers were killed in the incident, which remains one of Brazil’s worst offshore disasters. At the time, the platform was considered one of the largest offshore production units in the world.

2. Mumbai High North platform fire (India - 2005)

A support vessel collided with the Mumbai High North offshore platform during rough weather, triggering a massive fire in the Arabian Sea. At least 22 workers were killed, while hundreds had to be rescued from the burning platform.

3. Usumacinta platform collision (Mexico - 2007)

A drilling rig collided with the Usumacinta oil platform operated by Pemex during bad weather conditions in the Gulf of Mexico. The collision caused a major gas leak and fire, killing more than 20 workers while dozens were injured.

4. Montara oil spill and blowout (Australia - 2009)

One of Australia’s worst offshore disasters occurred when the Montara oil well blew out in the Timor Sea. Although there were no fatalities, workers had to evacuate the platform as oil leaked into the sea for more than 70 days, raising serious environmental and safety concerns.

5. Deepwater Horizon explosion (United States - 2010)

The Deepwater Horizon disaster remains one of the world’s deadliest and most devastating offshore incidents in modern history.

The drilling rig exploded after a blowout in the Gulf of Mexico, killing 11 workers and injuring many others. Millions of barrels of oil spilled into the ocean, severely damaging marine ecosystems and coastal economies.

6. Penglai 19-3 oil spill (China - 2011)

China faced one of its largest offshore environmental disasters when leaks from the Penglai 19-3 oil field polluted large areas of Bohai Bay. 

7. Abkatun Permanente platform fire (Mexico - 2015)

An explosion and fire erupted at the Abkatun Permanente offshore platform operated by Pemex in the Gulf of Mexico. Four workers were killed while dozens suffered injuries, forcing hundreds of personnel to evacuate the facility.

8. Gunashli oil field fire (Azerbaijan - 2015)

A violent storm damaged a gas pipeline at the Gunashli offshore oil field in the Caspian Sea, sparking a massive fire. More than 30 workers were reported dead or missing after some were trapped on the platform during the disaster.

9. Pemex Nohoch-A platform explosion (Mexico - 2023)

An explosion at the Nohoch-A offshore platform in the Gulf of Mexico killed at least two workers and injured several others. The blast triggered a large fire and forced temporary shutdowns of nearby oil production facilities.

10. Sepat offshore incident (Malaysia - 2026)

Malaysia’s latest offshore tragedy occurred during lifeboat maintenance work at the Sepat FSO facility off Terengganu’s coast.

Three contractor personnel were killed, while another worker was injured during the operation.

Not only that, some of the world’s deadliest offshore disasters recorded decades ago in the 1980s continue to serve as grim reminders of how catastrophic failures at sea can become.

11. Piper Alpha disaster (North Sea, United Kingdom - 1988)

The Piper Alpha disaster remains the deadliest offshore accident in history and continues to shape offshore safety standards worldwide.

On July 6, 1988, the offshore oil and gas production platform located about 120 miles off Aberdeen, Scotland, was engulfed in flames after an unauthorized gas condensate pump was accidentally switched on, triggering a massive series of explosions.

A total of 165 crew members and two rescuers were killed in the disaster. The tragedy later prompted sweeping reforms in offshore safety regulations globally.

12. Alexander L. Kielland platform disaster (North Sea, Norway - 1980)

The Alexander L. Kielland floating accommodation platform collapsed on March 27, 1980, after one of its five support legs broke off during heavy sea conditions, causing the structure to capsize.

Out of the 212 workers onboard, 123 lost their lives, making it one of the worst offshore disasters ever recorded.

The incident exposed major structural and engineering failures in offshore platform safety systems.

The incident has once again raised concerns over offshore maintenance safety, emergency response readiness and occupational hazards faced by workers in the oil and gas industry.

According to the United States Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), three out of five oil and gas fatalities stem from 'struck-by', 'caught-in' and 'caught-between' incidents, particularly during drilling, lifting and maintenance activities.