Egypt's Petroleum Ministry said Tuesday it had received a report about a capsized drilling ship in the Gulf of Suez from Offshore Shukheir oil Company. The ministry stated that the drillship "Adam Marine 12" was located at Gabal El Zeit in the Red Sea. This area is around 300 km south from the Suez Canal which is Egypt's main trade route. It's also one of Egypt’s most prominent oil production sites on the Red Sea. It is unlikely that the incident will cause navigational disruptions in the Suez Canal.

Sources affiliated with Red Sea authorities confirmed that at least four deaths have been confirmed, six are still missing, and 21 other people were rescued. Industry sources claim that the drillship capsized as it was moving towards a new location earlier in evening.

The vessel was drilling wells in a concession that was owned by the offshore drilling services provider ADES. According to sources, it assigned Osoco as the drilling contractor.

ADES has not responded to a comment request.

(source: Reuters)