Two workers dead after Algeria oil drilling fire -agency

Pulse Staff 08:54 - 06 May 2015

ALGIERS (Reuters) - Two local workers have died in a fire at an oil drilling rig in Algeria's Hassi Messaoud oilfield, said National Wells Services Company, the country's largest crude producer.

The fire occurred on Tuesday and was extinguished quickly, the company told state news agency APS.

It did not say whether the well contributes to output at Hassi Messaoud, which produces around 300,000 barrels of oil per day.

"It happened during a snubbing operation on a well," the company said.

OPEC member Algeria has been hurt by a fall in oil prices since mid-2014.

Officials have said despite this the country will proceed with its $90 billion energy sector investment plan over the next five years in order to boost stagnating production.