Deficiencies found on Transocean Arctic by the Norwegian Petroleum Directorate will have to be made good under a formal order.
Owned by drilling contractor Transocean and working for Statoil, the rig failed to meet the regulations in several areas when the NPD carried out a recent inspection. No dispensation had been sought for these non-conformances.
"Following the NPD's notification that it will issue a formal order and the associated report, both companies will review their routines to ensure they pick up departures from existing rules," says Mads Grinrød. He is vice president for drilling and well technology in Statoil.
Transocean Arctic is the newest rig drilling off Norway, and has operated without lost-time injuries for the past two years.
The NPD inspection took place while the unit was working for Statoil on its Åsgard development in the Norwegian Sea. Transocean Arctic has now moved to block 34/11 in the Gullfaks area of the North Sea, and is continuing to drill for the group.