Norway: PSA Inspects West Elara for Emergency Preparedness

Norwegian governmental supervisory body, the Petroleum Safety Authority Norway (PSA) conducted an audit of how emergency preparedness aspects are reviewed on board the West Elara jack-up rig.

The objective of the audit activity was to verify the organisation and management system on the facility as regards the preparedness discipline, as well as in relation to applicable regulatory requirements.

In the construction phase, the West Elara, a Gusto MSC design rig, built in Singapore’s Jurong shipyard has been registered in the Norwegian ships’ register so the Norwegian Maritime Directorate has followed up the technical aspect of emergency preparedness on board. Therefore, this aspect was not emphasised during this audit.

Nonconformities identified

The PSA identified nonconformities in relation to: Securing of loose fixtures and fittings in the living quarters; Lighting in connection with means of evacuation and rescue; use of the Norwegian language in documents on board. Also, the regulator said that instructions to response personnel, internal training of well safety and first aid teams and inventory lists at fire stations all need some improvements.

West Elara is designed to operate in harsh environments, in water-depths down to 150 m with drilling depths down to 10,670 m. Other key features are; Dual mud system for both WBM/OBM, large storage area, high variable deckload and long out reach.

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Offshore Energy Today Staff, January 11, 2012; Image: Seadrill