Offshore rig struck by giant wave in 2015 returns to work

Lundin Petroleum has hired the COSL Innovator semi-submersible drilling rig for one well offshore Norway.

The contract is expected to start in March 2018. Lundin will have an option to extend the contract for eight more wells.

“This is another fantastic news to give our organization. We are proud and humbled to be trusted by one of the most expansive companies on the NCS, and look forward to developing a strong and long-term relationship with Lundin,” says Jorgen Arnesen, CEO of COSL Drilling Europe.

To remind, the COSL Innovator, a deepwater drilling rig built in China to operate in the North Sea was in December 2015, struck by a steep wave, leading to the death of one crewmember, several injuries, and extensive damage to the living quarters.

The rig was working for Statoil on the Troll field in the North Sea, offshore Norway, when the horizontal wave smashed the rig’s two lower decks in the early morning on December 30, 2015.

Nexen contract

The COSL Innovator contract announcement comes only a week after COSL Drilling Europe announced a letter of intent with Nexen Petroleum for the use of COSL Pioneer semi-sub in the UK North Sea. This contract will begin in the first quarter of 2018. The two rigs, which are currently warm-stacked at CCB outside of Bergen, are sixth generation DP3 rigs.

“We now have two drilling rigs that will be started and staffed during the next six to eight months. This is good news for our own organization, but also for the rest of the industry”, Arnesen says.

He adds that: “Our rigs are identical in design and have all delivered very good and consistent operations. We find that they are attractive in today’s marked. This is due to an increased demand for modern and more efficient rigs in both the NCS and British sector. Last year was actually the first year the majority of contracted units were modern unites, and we believe this development to continue,” Arnesen says.

Offshore Energy Today Staff