Songa Offshore’s Cat D rig suffers BOP failure off Norway

Songa Offshore, an offshore drilling contractor, has informed that one of its Cat D rigs operating for Statoil offshore Norway has experienced a blowout preventer (BOP) failure. 

According to the owner of the rig, while performing a final test on location, Songa Endurance experienced BOP equipment failure, which is currently being repaired. Songa Offshore said on Monday that the root cause of the incident was identified and all required spare parts are on the rig.

Songa Offshore’s Songa Endurance, its second Category D rig, started drilling operations on December 31, 2015, under its eight-year drilling contract with Statoil at the Troll Field off Norway.

The rig recently got its Acknowledgement of Compliance from the Norwegian safety agency, the Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA), acknowledging that the rig may be used to carry out petroleum activities.

First Cat D rig

Songa Equinox started drilling operations on December 7, 2015 under its eight-year drilling contract with Statoil at the Troll Field on the Norwegian Continental Shelf.

The rig was on operating rate up to December 24, 2015, while the period from 24 to 31 December is being discussed in relation to what period the rig was on, waiting-on-weather rate or on downtime. The rig is currently performing equipment repair, Songa Offshore reported.

Third Cat D rig

Songa Offshore took delivery of Songa Encourage, its third Cat D rig built by Daewoo Shipbuilding & Marine Engineering (DSME) in Korea, on December 16, 2015. According to its owner, the rig is en route from Korea to Norway and is currently transiting between Singapore and Mauritius.

Songa Offshore also informed on Monday that its semi-sub drilling rig Songa Trym was being stacked, while marketed for new employment, following early cancellation of the drilling contract.

Offshore Energy Today Staff