Update: Floatel Superior Stable Again. Will Be Towed to Land, Statoil Says

After the PSA Norway today informed of Floatel Superior stability incident which occurred this morning in the Norwegian Sea, Statoil has provided a more detailed insight into the matter.

The oil company announced on its website that, after a hole was discovered in the rig’s ballast tank, causing the rig to tilt 3-4 degrees, the crew of 374 have mustered at the lifeboat stations and evacuation by helicopter is taking place.

“The rig’s stability is now re-established” Statoil said and added that Floatel Superior would be towed to land in due course.

Statoil has set up a personnel reception centre in Kristiansund. Six helicopters and an emergency response vessel have been deployed in order to assist the rig. In addition, an anchor handling vessel will be dispatched to inspect the damage.

Owned by the Swedish company Floatel, the Floatel Superior is a dynamically-positioned (DP-3) semi-submersible facility with a living quarters module aft and an open work deck forward.  The flotel can accommodate 440 people in single cabins when operating on the Norwegian shelf.

The PSA Norway in July 2012 granted consent to Statoil to use the  flotel at Njord Field in the Norwegian Sea.

[mappress]
Offshore Energy Today Staff, 2012