Fire Contained on Platform in Iran's South Pars Gas Field

A fire broke out on a gas platform in Phase 14 of Iran's South Pars gas field on Tuesday, 10 November, and was contained, according to Al Jazeera. The Pars Oil and Gas Company said the fire was extinguished immediately.

Seventeen workers jumped into the sea during the incident. They were later taken aboard lifeboats and rescue craft, and all 17 were reported to be in good condition. Three heavy rescue vessels were sent to the platform to bring the workers back.

Officials are considering a gas leak or an operational mishap as possible causes of the fire.

South Pars is the world's largest offshore natural gas field. The Phase 14 platform accounts for 14.5 million cubic metres of the field's daily gas production, which totals more than 700 million cubic metres a day.

The field extends beneath the sea that Iran shares with Qatar, and the two countries share the reservoir. Qatar calls its portion of the field the North Dome.