The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries (MEEI) reminds all private and state-owned companies that all incidents within Trinidad and Tobago’s energy sector must be reported to the MEEI under law, as it is the lead regulatory body within the energy sector. This includes the continuous reporting on the status of remediating ongoing incidents. With respect to the ongoing Rig 110 incident, the Honourable Ernesto Kesar, Minister in the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries appeals to all parties involved to move with a level of urgency, safety and compassion in an effort to bring closure to the family and loved ones of the victim, Mr. Pete Phillip.
The Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries has been monitoring the progress of recovery and salvage efforts related to the Rig 110 incident. These salvage efforts involve the recovery of tanks, fuels and fluids; raising the rig, cutting the legs and shifting the collapsed rig away from the well; and refloating the rig for final disposal. This salvage operation is expected to facilitate the recovery of the victim, Mr. Pete Phillip.
In May 2025, Minister Kesar and a team of technical officers attached to the MEEI received a briefing from Well Services regarding the Rig 110 incident. At this meeting, the projected time frame for salvage activity was laid out by Well Services, with the expectation that the salvage operation of the collapsed rig would begin in June 2025. Minister Kesar asked the company, at that time, for salvage activities to be expedited and for Well Services to ensure compassionate and consistent support to the family of the victim.
At the beginning of August 2025, the Ministry of Energy and Energy Industries also received an update from Heritage Petroleum Company Limited (Heritage) regarding the salvage of Rig 110. This update highlighted that assets belonging to Heritage continues to be at risk near the collapsed Rig 110. Therefore, the MEEI wishes again to express concern about the management of this tragic event.
Well Services has not met their projected June 2025 commencement date for salvage operations. The issue of this delayed commencement and the reason for such has not been officially communicated to the MEEI by the company to date. The MEEI therefore calls on the company to officially provide timely notifications on the progress of salvage activity and the recovery of the victim.
The MEEI further reiterates that as the lead Government agency for oil and gas exploration, it is obligated, in the interest of all citizens, to protect all assets within the energy sector. As such, all channels of communication between the MEEI and its stakeholders remain open and the MEEI remains available to treat with urgency any regulatory approvals required so that the salvage operation can begin as soon as possible.
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Media Release- Minister Kesar Calls for Urgency in Rig 110 Incident