WELL Services Petroleum Company Limited, in collaboration with Heritage Petroleum Company Limited, has decided to transition from search and rescue operations to a search and recovery phase for missing rig worker Pete Phillip.
Phillip went missing after Rig 110 began sinking in the former Trinmar field on the Gulf of Paria Sunday morning.
This decision follows efforts by the team and comes after careful consideration and consultation with experts in the field, a release from Well Services stated on Thursday.
The shift in operations was prompted by the passage of time and challenging maritime conditions, leading to the regretful determination that the possibility of survival is now unlikely, the company stated.
The safety of all personnel and respect for those affected remain top priorities as the team proceeds with the recovery phase, the release stated.
Well Services continues to offer support to the families and loved ones of Phillip, it stated in the release.
Phillips, 47, had four children and was to spend Christmas with his wife Kandasie, 34, and – Jesiah, 13, Justin, 11, Jelicia, nine and Giselle, three.
Very sad day for the men and women involved in the oil and gas sectors especially in the offshore environment.
A thorough investigation HAS to be done to determine the ROOT CAUSE of the incident.