Regulator lays charges against Transocean over rig incident

Canadian offshore regulator has laid charges against Transocean related to an incident on one of the contractor’s rigs in September 2019 in which a worker was injured.

The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (C-NLOPB) informed last Friday it had laid two charges against Transocean for alleged offences related to an injury onboard the mobile offshore drilling unit (MODU) Transocean Barents, in the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Area on 6 September 2019.

The incident, which had the potential for fatality, happened while the rig was working for Suncor and the investigation was launched immediately after. Operations on the rig were allowed to resume the following month.

According to the regulator, both charges relate to contraventions of the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Marine Installations and Structures Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) Transitional Regulations.

C-NLOPB Officers allege that Transocean failed to ensure a crane was operated in accordance with the OHS Transitional Regulations; and allowed an employee whilst being a signaller to perform duties other than signalling while a crane was in motion, contrary to the OHS Transitional Regulations.

The first appearance is scheduled for 12 October 2022 at Provincial Court in St. John’s.

As this matter is now before the courts, the C-NLOPB will not be commenting further at this time, the regulator concluded.

Transocean’s fleet status report from late July shows that the Transocean Barents worked for Shell from January 2022 until August. The day rate for this contract in Norway was $282,000.