Woodside Petroleum Ltd. has temporarily shut-in production at its Pluto LNG plant after the Atwood Osprey submersible drilling rig drifted near Pluto flowlines during Cyclone Olwyn, which impacted the Australia’s northwest coast on Mar. 12.
The rig, contracted to Chevron Australia Pty. Ltd. by Atwood Oceanics Inc., parted several mooring lines and drifted 3 nautical miles from its original position at the Iago 1B well.
Underwater inspections have confirmed the integrity of the flowlines. Production will be restarted from the plant when the rig has been relocated away from Pluto development area.
The rig is currently stable with a support vessel in position, and preliminary results indicate minimal damage. It’s estimated to be out of service for 30 days while repairs are made. No rig personnel were injured in the event.
The Iago 1B well had been shut down and secured in accordance with Chevron’s cyclone demobilization procedures, and the rig had ballasted down and evacuated all its rig personnel in advance of the cyclone.
Atwood Oceanics says it’s coordinating its efforts with Chevron, the Australian offshore regulator and other affected parties.
Woodside’s $15 billion (Aus.) Pluto facilities on the Burrup Peninsula started production in 2012 (OGJ Online, May 7, 2012).
