What is oil rig doing near Abaco?

By NICO SCAVELLA

Tribune Staff Reporter

nscavella@tribunemedia.net

GOVERNMENT officials yesterday said they had no knowledge of a floating oil rig in waters in the northern Bahamas after aerial photographs emerged on social media appearing to show one to have been stationary for three days 20 miles south of Abaco.

Two government officials, who wished to remain anonymous, could not confirm to The Tribune the existence of the development drilling rig, owned by a prominent offshore drilling company, in Bahamian waters.

A second image was posted, showing the route the oil rig had taken. Via location markers, it showed how, on December 18, the rig was stationed south off the coast of New Orleans before travelling to a point east of Miami, arriving there at 2.33pm on December 23. Seven hours later the rig was supposedly southwest of east Grand Bahama. It came to a stop on Christmas Day south of Abaco and appears not to have moved since.

The posts sparked debate on Facebook, with many people accusing the government of “lying” to the Bahamian people about oil drilling in the Bahamas. However, the rig, owned by Transocean, is believed to be en route to Angola.

The Bahamas Petroleum Company has a permit for an exploratory test well in the Bahamas and should oil be discovered the Government has said it will hold a referendum on whether to proceed.

Comments

TalRussell says...

C'mon Comrades PM and DPM (Davis & Co) gone all quiet, so will you bunch - considering the amount taxpayers be putting into paychecks Bahamasair pilots - be reporting to the Tribune News Room, what you'll be seeing from up in sky's - about the Oil Rig been spotted off Abaco?

Happy New Year's Comrade Abacoians courtesy da Davis & Co - that's one big ass sucker of a oil rig they sending your way?

Posted 29 December 2014, 3:49 p.m. Suggest removal

B_I_D___ says...

The marine tracking website shows it's destination as Las Palmas, Canary Islands...apparently just passing through...

http://www.marinetraffic.com/en/ais/hom…

Posted 29 December 2014, 4:23 p.m. Suggest removal

TalRussell says...

Posted 29 December 2014, 4:45 p.m. Suggest removal

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Posted 30 December 2014, 1:16 a.m. Suggest removal

ted4bz says...

Looking for oil put there by the 2 political parties and the 35 riches family in this country. What else you think it's doing there?

Posted 30 December 2014, 11:39 a.m. Suggest removal

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