Norway's PSA finds nonconformities with West Hercules semi

Jan. 7, 2013
Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) reports a recent audit found numerous nonconformities of the Seadrill Group’s West Hercules ultradeepwater semisubmersible drilling rig.

Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) reports a recent audit found numerous nonconformities of the Seadrill Group’s West Hercules ultradeepwater semisubmersible drilling rig.

The dynamically positioned unit, built in 2008, is undergoing yard work ahead of working for Statoil in Norway. The contract that Statoil signed with North Atlantic Norway Ltd., a company in the Seadrill Group, is scheduled to start in February (OGJ Online, Sept. 9, 2011).

“Market reports indicate the unit could be delayed until June as a result of adhering to the audit,” said Barclays analysts James C. West.

The audit was part of the processing related to the application for an acknowledgement of compliance for the semi drilling on the Norwegian continental shelf.

PSA listed the nonconformities as:

• The light indicator lamp for watertight hatches.

• Control panel for watertight closing mechanisms.

• Mechanical/hydraulic remote closing system for watertight doors.

• Watertight sliding doors such as fire doors.

• Remote closing system for watertight sliding doors in the fire division.

• Local operation of ballast pumps.

• Internal communication for operating the ballast system.

• Certification of anchor winches.