By Gina Hill | Alaska Headline Living | January 2026
Response efforts following the collapse and fire involving Doyon Drilling Rig 26 on Alaska’s North Slope have transitioned from an emergency response to environmental impact assessment and mitigation.
According to ConocoPhillips Alaska, the incident occurred at approximately 4:45 p.m. while the rig was traveling on an ice and gravel road near Nuiqsut while operating on behalf of the company. A fire broke out but has since been contained and controlled.
The North Slope Borough confirmed all personnel have been accounted for. Two individuals who were on the rig at the time of the incident and six initial responders were treated at nearby clinics and have all been released. No serious injuries have been reported.
Officials say there is no threat to the community of Nuiqsut. There has been no reported damage to community infrastructure, no impact to pipelines, and no disruption to the natural gas supply. The seasonal fuel haul remains on schedule, and traffic flow in the area has resumed.
Doyon Drilling, the owner and operator of Rig 26, is leading response and recovery efforts under a Unified Command structure that includes representatives from the State of Alaska, the federal government, and the North Slope Borough. Emergency response personnel remain on site as assessments continue.
The cause of the incident has not been released. Additional updates are expected to be provided by the Unified Command as verified information becomes available.
