The first measure of this incident is human. Borr Drilling's Prospector 5 rig sank offshore Gabon at about 20:37 local time on October 24, 2026, and five of the 115 people on board remain unaccounted for. A total of 110 have been safely accounted for, according to Borr Drilling.
What Borr Drilling has confirmed
The rig was carrying out jacking operations in preparation for a planned drilling campaign when the incident happened. Borr Drilling owns and operates the Prospector 5, and the rig is contracted to support BW Energy's drilling operations offshore Gabon.
Preliminary information points to a punch through event during preload activities. That led to a loss of stability and then to the sinking of the rig. The company stresses that this is preliminary.
Response and search
Borr Drilling has activated its onshore emergency response team. It is working with local authorities and with BW Energy to respond, to support those affected and to search for the missing personnel. The company describes the search and rescue operations as extensive and ongoing.
Borr Drilling has also opened a line for family members who are still seeking information or assistance. The company says the safety and wellbeing of everyone affected is its immediate and overriding priority.
Borr Drilling CEO Bruno Morand said the company is "deeply concerned for those who remain unaccounted for." He added that the immediate priority is supporting the search and rescue efforts and the welfare of all personnel involved.
Where this leaves the campaign
The rig was in the preparation stage, with the planned drilling campaign still ahead of it. The punch through finding is based on preliminary information.
