On April 21, 2025, a fire followed by an explosion erupted on the inactive Petrobras platform PCH-1, located in the Campos Basin approximately 130 kilometers off the coast of Macaé, Brazil. The incident occurred around 7:25 AM and left 11 workers injured, with one individual falling into the sea but being rescued shortly after with minor burns.
The PCH-1 platform has been inactive since 2020, and at the time of the accident, it had 176 personnel on board. Emergency teams were quickly dispatched to control the fire, which took about four hours to extinguish. The flames were finally brought under control around 11:25 AM, as specialized fire-fighting vessels were placed on standby during the incident.
According to Petrobras, all other workers aboard the platform are safe, and those deemed non-essential will be disembarked as a precautionary measure to assess the integrity of the facility. The company stated, "The people aboard PCH-1 are well, and non-essential teams will be preventively disembarked to evaluate the integrity of the installations." A commission has been established to investigate the causes of the fire.
The Brazilian Navy has also launched an administrative inquiry into the incident, confirming that 11 people suffered burns and have since received medical attention. The Navy reported that emergency vessels were called to the scene, and the gas flow from the unit was immediately halted as a safety precaution.
While Petrobras has initiated an investigation, the Sindicato dos Petroleiros do Norte Fluminense (Sindipetro-NF), the union representing oil workers in the region, attributes the incident to the long-standing neglect and lack of investment in the Campos Basin. They have voiced concerns regarding the deteriorating conditions of offshore platforms, stating, "This is yet another serious accident in an offshore unit, in a scenario that has been reported for a long time. The entity claims there is a lack of investment, precarious working conditions, and constant risks to the lives of workers."
The union has pledged to closely monitor the situation and will appoint a director to participate in the accident investigation commission. They have also indicated plans to report the incident to all relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Labor and the National Agency of Petroleum (ANP).
Petrobras emphasized that safety is a priority, stating, "The fire has already been extinguished by the emergency teams immediately dispatched." The company has committed to thoroughly investigating the circumstances surrounding the incident, which has raised alarms about the safety protocols in place on aging offshore platforms.
This incident highlights ongoing concerns regarding the oil industry’s safety measures, especially in light of previous accidents attributed to inadequate maintenance and oversight. The union has been vocal about the need for better working conditions and has criticized the government's handling of the oil sector, suggesting that years of neglect have led to an environment where such incidents are becoming increasingly common.
As the investigation unfolds, the focus will be on ensuring that similar accidents do not occur in the future, and that the health and safety of workers are prioritized. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with offshore oil drilling, particularly in regions where infrastructure may be aging or inadequately maintained.
In the wake of the fire, the Campos Basin, a critical area for Brazil’s oil production, faces renewed scrutiny. Stakeholders are calling for immediate reforms to enhance safety standards and ensure that the workforce is protected from preventable accidents. The union's insistence on accountability from both Petrobras and regulatory bodies reflects a growing frustration with the current state of the industry.
As the investigation proceeds, both Petrobras and the Navy will be under pressure to provide transparency regarding the findings and to implement necessary changes to prevent future incidents. The safety of oil workers remains a pressing issue, and the repercussions of this incident will likely resonate throughout the industry.
