New task for Odfjell Drilling related to rig non-conformities stemming from emergency preparedness management

Offshore drilling player Odfjell Drilling has been asked to handle the identified non-conformities and improvement points regarding emergency preparedness management at a semi-submersible rig, which is working on the Norwegian Continental Shelf (NCS).

The Norwegian Ocean Industry Authority (Havtil) has carried out an audit of Odfjell Drilling’s management of emergency preparedness on the 2019-built Deepsea Nordkapp, former Stena Midmax, sixth-generation dynamically positioned harsh environment and winterized semi-submersible of a Moss-enhanced CS 60E design, which the offshore drilling contractor bought from Samsung Heavy in April 2018.

The objective of the audit, which was conducted from February 19-23, 2024, was to verify that the company’s management of emergency preparedness on the rig complies with the regulatory requirements. Havtil identified two non-conformities during the audit, concerning the secondary escape route from the deck crane and the launching of the MOB boat. In addition, one improvement point was observed about the emergency preparedness training system.

As a result, the Norwegian offshore safety watchdog has asked Odfjell Drilling to report by May 3, 2024, on how the non-conformities will be addressed and provide its assessment of the improvement point observed.

Odfjell Drilling was one of the three offshore drilling contractors that entered into drilling and wells alliance agreements in January 2023 with Aker BP to undertake drilling activities on the Norwegian Continental Shelf. Thanks to this, the Deepsea Nordkapp rig was contracted to the end of 2024 with an option to extend the contract further.

The two players agreed to prolong the rig’s work in December 2023. The extended term is slated to start on January 1, 2025, in direct continuation of the current firm contract period and run for a fixed duration of two years. This extension came a month after Odfjell Drilling secured another one with Equinor to drill additional wells on the NCS.