New task for DNO regarding work with Odfjell Drilling-managed rig

Norwegian offshore safety regulator has carried out an audit of DNO’s planning of drilling operations using one of the Odfjell Drilling-managed semi-submersible rigs for a well offshore Norway and is awaiting a response from the offshore drilling contractor regarding the way the identified improvement point will be handled.

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) recently reported that it had conducted the audit between 23 and 24 May 2023. The objective of the audit was to monitor whether DNO and its subcontractors are undertaking the planning and risk assessment of HPHT drilling operations, using the Deepsea Yantai rig for the Norma well, in compliance with their own requirements, and the requirements in the regulations.

While the PSA did not find any breaches of the regulations or non-conformities during the audit, one improvement point was identified concerning the requirements for well control expertise for certain subcontractors. As a result, the Norwegian offshore safety watchdog has asked DNO to provide its assessment of the observed improvement point by 21 August 2023.

The Deepsea Yantai rig is expected to work for DNO Norge in 2Q/3Q 2023 and drill one firm well in the North Sea. In addition, a one-well deal with DNO was also recently disclosed for this rig in PL 1182 in the North Sea, which is slated to start in early 3Q 2024.

The 2019-built Deepsea Yantai rig, which is capable of harsh environment operation, is of a GM4D design. This rig – formerly known as the Beacon Atlantic – is owned by China’s CIMC and managed by Odfjell Drilling.

This semi-sub has several jobs lined up for 2023 and the most recent one was disclosed with ConocoPhillips Skandinavia, which will see the rig drill one firm well with the option to drill two further wells in PL 891 in the Norwegian Sea.