Details added (first version posted on 16:11)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Dec. 8
By Maksim Tsurkov - Trend:
None of 23 Azerbaijani oil workers who went missing after the fire at Guneshli offshore field have been found as of 16:00 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours), chief engineer of Azneft production association Balamirza Alirahimov said Dec.8 at the press conference.
As a result of a strong storm on Dec.4 at 17:40 (UTC/GMT + 4 hours), a high-pressure underwater gas pipeline was damaged which caused a fire at Guneshli field of the State Oil Company of Azerbaijan.
As a result of the large-scale work, 33 people were rescued. Currently, seven oil workers were found dead, while 23 people are listed as missing.
Chief engineer of Azneft production association said that firefighting continues, adding that foreign experts managed to get to the platform No. 10 and assess the situation on the spot. They will decide on further areas of work, Alirahimov said.
He went on to add that the ministry of emergency situations will make decision regarding continuation of the search by helicopters in bad weather conditions.
The search by ships depending on weather conditions will be suspended and resumed as soon as possible, he said.
Alirahimov went on to add that the fire has weakened considerably in comparison with the first days of the accident.
Alirahimov said that families of the victims will receive financial aid. They will be paid cash, considering the work experience of the victims, their marital status and salary, he said.
No oil spill and other environmental problems have been observed on the territory of the field, he said.
"In accordance with the mechanism at work in SOCAR, all construction, repair and installation work stops in case of storm warning," Alirahimov said. "So, no work was carried out at the platform on the day of the accident as well."
He went on to add that the wind resistance of the platform is 12 points on the Beaufort scale.