Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 7
By Azad Hasanli - Trend:
The state commission, created in Azerbaijan in connection with a fire on a platform of SOCAR's Gunashli field, held a meeting Dec. 7, said Balamirza Alirahimov, chief engineer at Azneft, a production union of SOCAR.
He made the remarks at a press conference Dec. 7 in Baku.
A fire broke out on the offshore platform #10 of SOCAR's Gunashli field on Dec. 4, as a strong storm damaged an underwater high-pressure gas pipeline. As many as 33 people were rescued in an ensuing large-scale operation. Some 23 oil workers are currently listed as missing.
Alirahimov said the meeting was chaired by Prime Minister Artur Rasizade, and participated by SOCAR President Rovnag Abdullayev, Minister of Emergency Situations Kamaladdin Heydarov, Chief of the State Border Service Elchin Guliyev, and the Prosecutor General Zakir Garalov.
He added that a report was made during the meeting on the activities to study the causes and circumstances of tahe accident, and the measures to search and rescue the missing oilmen.
"During the meeting it was noted that necessary actions were taken immediately after the incident, but due to the severe weather conditions the fire engulfed the entire platform," noted Alirahimov.