Hydro and rig company Dolphin AS have decided to temporarily take the drilling platform "Bideford Dolphin" out of operation after small cracks were discovered in the hull.
The platform was operating on the Tordis field where it has been drilling a production well. "Bideford Dolphin" is securing the well and will head for land as quickly as possible for inspection and repairs.
It was on Monday, Dec. 2, that Dolphin AS discovered the two cracks of five and seven centimeters long, respectively, in the structural framework of the vessel's hull.
There is no danger to the platform's integrity and load capacity.
The Norwegian Petroleum Directorate has been informed of the decision to take the drilling rig temporarily out of operation.