Coast Guard: Endeavour Jack-Up Allowed to Operate in U.S. Waters

Coast Guard Endeavor Jack-Up Allowed to Operate in U.S. Waters

Buccaneer Energy has advised that the Endeavour jack-up rig has received the Certificate of Compliance from the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”). The USCG Certificate of Compliance certifies the rig is able to operate safely within United States waters.

The Endeavour is owned by Kenai Offshore , a joint venture with Singapore based Ezion Holdings Limited and the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority (“AIDEA”). Buccaneer is the designated Manager of Kenai Offshore.

To be able to commence operations within the Cook Inlet in Alaska, the Endeavour rig must be inspected and certified by the Alaskan Oil and Gas Conservation Commission (“AOGCC”). This agency certifies the rig’s drilling equipment is suitable for the drilling projects that are undertaken. The drilling equipment, including blowout preventers, pumps, kick detection and other well control items are critical to operate safely within Alaskan state waters. The AOGCC conducted preliminary inspections during the last week and, according to Buccaneer, did not raise any specific points of concern. Final drawings and equipment certifications are being obtained and a final AOGCC inspection will be conducted after the rig has been placed in its normal drilling position at the Cosmopolitan drill site.

The AOGCC’s focus is on drilling safety systems and in particular pressure control systems that operate while drilling i.e. mud systems and blowout preventers. The Endeavour has a renewed mud system and has totally refurbished blowout preventers. The AOGCC will return when the above pressure control systems have been fully re-activated when can only be completed once the Endeavour is at the Cosmopolitan location.

The rig arrived on location at the Cosmo location on Saturday 30 March 2013. The Endeavour’s legs have been jacked down in approximately 84′ of water and have been safely pinned to the seabed. Pre-loading operations were successful and the rig has been jacked up to operating height of 45′ above mean sea level and the tugs have been released. The Endeavour’s drilling deck has been cantilevered into operating position and excess drill pipe and other equipment is being removed in preparation for final commissioning prior to commencing drilling operations.

The Endeavour’s crews will spend the next 10-14 days preparing for drilling operations which will include the above AOGCC certifications.

[mappress]
 April 5, 2013