West Triton sustains damage

Offshore staff

ADELAIDE, Australia -- The West Triton rig, which is contracted to spud the Peejay-1 well in the Bass Strait, sustained damage yesterday during routine preload operations, according to Beach Petroleum.

The damage is confined to internal bracings on a section of one leg of the rig and occurred during its emplacement on site in shallow 80-m (262-ft) waters in T/39P. There were no casualties or injuries as a result of the incident and the rig is in no danger.

Beach is currently liaising withWest Triton's supplier and associated contractors as to the likely timing and scope of repairs. Once that advice is forthcoming, Beach expects to make determinations about a readjusted drilling schedule. All current work on Peejay-1 has been halted for the interim, the company says.

10/20/2008