PSA probes Statoil’s and Maersk’s Romeo and Julius drilling ops

Between 16 and 20 March 2015, the Petroleum Safety Norway (PSA) audited Statoil and Maersk Drilling regarding drilling operations at the Romeo and Julius exploration wells in southern part of the North Sea, using ‘Maersk Gallant’.

The PSA says that the objective of the audit was to verify Statoil and Mærsk Drilling’s planning, experience transfer and execution of high pressure, high temperature (HPHT) exploration drilling of the Romeo and Julius exploration wells in the King Lear prospect.

Result

PSA found non-conformities related to working environment committee and working environment measures. In addition, improvement points were identified in connection with installations, systems and equipment, competence, and barriers.

Statoil and Mærsk Drilling have been given a deadline of August 1, 2015 to report on how the non-conformities and improvement points will be dealt with.

King Lear prospect

In 2012 Statoil made a significant gas and condensate discovery in the HPHT King Lear prospect. The 2/4-22 Romeo prospect tests the potential north of King Lear, while the 2/4-23 Julius prospect both appraises the King Lear discovery and tests additional potential south of the find.

Maersk Gallant

Maersk Gallant is a jack-up drilling rig, built at Far East Levingston Shipbuilding (FELS) in Singapore in 1993. The rig is operated by Maersk Contractors Norge A/S. It was issued with an Acknowledgement of Compliance (AoC) by the PSA in August 2002.

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