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North Sea Rigs

Volume 982: debated on Thursday 3 April 1980

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asked the Secretary of State for Energy if he will list all those rigs operating in the British sector of the North Sea, and which are floating or semi-submersible rigs, together with the dates when the flotation chambers of these rigs were subjected to a complete underwater inspection; and whether maintenance or remedial action was necessary arising from these inspections.

A list of mobile installations (rigs) operating in the British sector of the North Sea is set out below. The dates of the last complete underwater inspection and consequential actions taken are given.An additional inspection was started on Friday, 28 March 1980, of all Pentagone type installations in United Kingdom waters and preliminary reports show no cause for alarm. Similar inspections of all other floating installations in the United Kingdom sector are under way.

Mobile Installations with Last underwater inspection and Maintenance/Remedial action

1. SEDCO 700

April 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

2. SEDCO 703

October 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

3. SEDCO 704

October 1978: None, satisfactory condition.

4. SEDNETH 701

March 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

5. VENTURE I

March 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

6. VENTURE II

December 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

7. Atlantic I

April 1979: Satisfactory condition, minor dent in shell plate

8. Atlantic II

April 1979: None, satisfactory condition

9. Zapata Nordic

Jack up installation

10. Dyvi Beta

Jack up installation

11. Norjarl

November 1979: Few minor cracks found. Permanent repair carried out. Dented plate renewed, anchor fair lead repaired

12. Nortroll

January 1980: Minor cracks being monitored prior to repair

13. Ocean Voyager

April 1978: Minor crack repaired

14. Ocean Kokuei

September 1978: None, satisfactory condition

15. Aladdin

May 1978: Some minor fractures in welds and plate defects found. Permanent repairs carried out.

16. Sinbad Sixon

May 1978: Some minor fractures and plate defects found. Permanent repairs carried out.

17. Chris Chenery

November 1978: None, satisfactory condition.

18. Borgny Dolphin

November 1978. None, satisfactory condition.

19. Pacesetter I

September 1978: Some minor cracks in welds detected. Permanent repairs carried out.

20. Stadrill

April 1979: Some minor cracks in welds found. Permanent repairs carried out.

21. Sea Conquest

December 1978 and now in progress: No defects to date.

22. Pentagone 84

September 1978: Some small cracks detected. Permanent repairs carried out and weld profile improved.

23. Kingsnorth United Kingdom

March 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

24. Dundee Kingsnorth

December 1977 and in progress now: No defects to date.

25. * Transworld 58

March 1978: Extensive cracking found. Rig taken off location, dry docked and permanent repairs carried out. Additional partial surveys required annually to monitor the situation.

26. Drillmaster

Under re-construction changing from drill installation to production unit. As result of Alexander Kielland additional consideration being given to this unit.

* This installation is an oil production unit not a drilling installation.