Sinopec reports explosion at oil site in southwest Gabon

China-based energy giant Sinopec has reported an explosion at an oil site in southwest Gabon, which killed one person and injured six people.

The Gabon site is run by the company’s subsidiary Addax Petroleum Oil & Gas Gabon.

Fire broke out at the site, where the company stores 2,000 barrels of oil in a tank.

AFP quoted Republic of Gabon Petroleum and Hydrocarbons minister Etienne Dieudonné Ngoubou saying: "An explosion happened at an oil collection and export site in east Obangue, under the Dinonga-Irondou licence, operated by the company Addax Petroleum Oil & Gas Gabon."

The fire was brought under control and authorities are carrying out an investigation to determine the cause of the incident.

The body of one worker was recovered by the rescuers, four people were taken to hospital in Port-Gentil and Libreville and two more suffered less serious burns.

Addax Petroleum’s principal onshore Gabon producing licences, Irondou and Dinonga, were granted in January 2014 for a ten-year period and are located 100km south-east of the coastal city of Port-Gentil.

The company operates and holds an 88.75% interest in these licences.

Gabon accounts for 60% of state earnings and produces 230,000 barrels of oil per day.