Offshore staff
OSLO, Norway -- Petroleum Safety Authority Norway has approved Centrica Energi’s plan for an exploration well in the Norwegian Sea.
Well 6506/9-2 S will be drilled by the semisubWest Alpha on production license 433, around 252 km (156 mi) west of Brønnøysund, in a water depth of 281 m (922 ft). The program should start later this month, with an estimated duration of 78 days.
West Alpha is an Ultra Yatzy drilling rig built in 1986 which has undergone several modifications. It is operated by Seadrill.
PSA says it has participated as observers in two emergency preparedness exercises with the operator. The report following the audit revealed nonconformities concerning requirements for these activities, and recommended improvements to Centrica's organization.
Centrica has identified numerous compensating measures. PSA’s pre-condition for the consent is that these measures must be implemented.
02/17/2010
