Noble Corp. reported that its Noble Paul Wolff dynamically positioned semisubmersible rig offshore Brazil encountered ballast-control problems early Feb. 28. All workers are safe, the well secured, and no spill occurred, the company said.
Noble evacuated 77 nonessential personnel as it continues to investigate the incident with Petroleo Brasileiro SA (Petrobras) and Brazilian authorities. Petrobras leased the Noble rig in 2008 along with four others in a $4 billion deal (OGJ Online, Apr. 4, 2008).
The Noble Paul Wolff drills to depths of 30,000 ft in more than 9,000 ft of water.
