Salvage Operation of Perro Negro 6 to Take Ten Months

Salvage operation of Saipem’s capsized Perro Negro 6 jack-up drilling rig is expected to commence this quarter and should take around ten months to complete.

The rig went down during positioning on location on July 1, 2013 in Angolan waters after one of its three legs collapsed, causing the rig to list on its side and eventually submerge completely. The accident was fatal for one worker, while several others sustained injuries.

According to Reuters, the Dutch company Smit Salvage,a subsidiary of Boskalis, will be in charge of conducting the salvage operation, which is going to include removal of the rig’s hull, legs and other components.

The contractor said that the removal of the rig will see employing of a diving support vessel, a work barge, anchor-handling tugs and specialised equipment.

[mappress]
World Maritime News, April 30, 2014, Image: Saipem