By THE ALASKA STORY
A massive Arctic drilling rig known as Doyon 26 — “The Beast” — tipped over and collapsed near Alpine on Alaska’s North Slope on Friday, crumpling “like a soda pop can,” according to multiple sources familiar with the incident.
Video of the crash is now circulating on social media, showing the enormous rig lying on its side after the apparent failure. The incident occurred on an ice road system in the Alpine area, and sources are describing it as occurring on a gravel road.
The rig is part of a ConocoPhillips operation, according to information provided to The Alaska Story, though official confirmation from the company has not yet been issued. Sources also indicate the rig was likely en route to the NPRA for exploration, though that detail remains unconfirmed. This would not impact current production.
A statement from ConocoPhillips was released Friday evening:
“At approximately 4:45 pm today, an incident involving Doyon 26 occurred while traveling on a gravel road on the North Slope of Alaska, while operating on behalf of ConocoPhillips. A fire occurred and is currently contained and controlled. All personnel have been accounted for and there are no serious injuries. There was no damage to local community infrastructure and no impact to pipelines or fuel transportation. Emergency response personnel remain on site. We will provide additional details as they are available.”
Video from unknown source:
Gov. Mike Dunleavy issued a statement Friday evening:
“I was informed the Doyon rig 26 toppled over as it was being moved and I have been in contact with ConocoPhillips leadership. There was a small fire, but so far appears to be minimal damage to the environment and no impact to oil infrastructure or facilities. They are responding with a team, working on plans to recover the rig, and we will know more as they assess.”
Two workers were inside the rig at the time of the incident and both made it out alive, possibly suffering only minor injuries, according to early reports. No fatalities have been reported. The rig is said to weigh 10 million pounds or 5,000 tons.
Doyon 26 is one of the largest and most recognizable drilling rigs operating on the North Slope and is often referred to in the industry as “The Beast” because of its size and scale. The collapse of the structure represents a significant industrial incident, though full damage assessments and operational impacts have not yet been released.
Deadhorse is reporting the temperature is 30 degrees.
The Alaska Story will continue to update this report as more verified information becomes available.
5 thoughts on “Breaking: Doyon 26 drilling rig tips over near Alpine on North Slope; two workers escape”
My heart goes out to Nabors, especially those injured, and to all those involved with this rig move. Years ago I worked up on the Slope, including Alpine. I witnessed countless rig moves, and the precision that these rig moves take is mind boggling. It’s a testament to the skill of all those involved. The rig move drivers were unquestionably the most highly skilled pros and definitely had my respect. It is so very sad that this incident happened. Just thankful no one was seriously injured or killed. My prayers to all who are impacted by this.
Trump will be blamed by the brainless.
I’d say more than two workers escaped.
Glad no was killed first and foremost. I can’t help but question, was a woman was driving…..
: )
I don’t know why the big deal. Just another oil rig toppling over. Less climate change for us. Hell, I go off the rails and fall over twice a day. In the morning, during my daily hang-over. And again at night, after I finished my nasty written diatribe and …..another quart of Jack Daniel’s 70 proof.
Good post, AKflicka. I worked the Sea Lifts in the 80’s. We transported 12-story oil production modules from West Dock to CC1 and CC2 facilities for SOHIO without incidents. Our transporters were 800 and 1200 ton crawlers. The same vehicles used to transport the Space Shuttle to it’s launch site. Then, during the 1985 Sea Lift, CONOCO delivered their production modules to Milne Point. This time they used huge rubber-wheeled transporters called Schurlees. We almost lost one in the tundra. The August rains caused the gravel road to get soggy and the 10-story module listed to the left. We saved it from toppling over by keeping the momentum forward. Had we stopped, it would have gone over, producing a mess on the tundra. People who have never been to Prudhoe Bay have no idea what a technological marvel it really is.