March 20, 2001. Copyright 2001. Graphic News. All rights reserved. WorldÕs biggest oil rig sinks LONDON, March 20, Graphic News: The worldÕs biggest offshore oil platform has sunk five days after three powerful blasts rocked the 40-storey rig -- owned by BrazilÕs state oil giant Petrobras -- killing up to 10 people on Thursday. More than 175 people were on board rig P-36, some 125 miles (200 kilometres) north of Rio de Janeiro, when the blasts occurred. It was not immediately clear what caused the explosions. The platform was located in the Campos Basin, from which more than three quarters of BrazilÕs crude oil output originates. The P-36 rig should have produced up to 180,000 barrels of crude oil per day but after starting operations last year, it was only pumping out 80,000 bpd, or 5 percent of BrazilÕs output. Petrobras said it would lose $50 million a month with the rig out of operation. Petrobras, which has been under scrutiny following recent accidents and oil spills, denied any environmental damage would result from ThursdayÕs rig explosion. Thirteen ships equipped with floating oil barriers are stationed in the area to contain any spillage. The rig had 9,500 barrels (1.5 million litres / 400,000 U.S. gallons) of oil aboard. Union leaders called a nationwide protest following the blasts to demand safer working conditions. Fernando Carvalho, the head of BrazilÕs biggest oil workers union, said accidents on oil rigs in the Campos Basin were becoming Òroutine.Ó More than 80 oil workers have died in accidents over the last three years. /ENDS Sources: Reuters, Petrobras