HC Deb 25 July 1977 vol 936 c80W
Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Energy how many certificates of fitness for drilling rigs were issued in 1976 subject to qualifications or restrictions as to the areas or conditions under which they were to operate.

Dr. John A. Cunningham

Rigs are designed to operate in specific environmental conditions. For all the floating rigs certified in 1976, these qualifications do not constitute a limitation as they match or exceed the worst storm conditions envisaged in our licensed area.

In 1976, certificates of fitness subject to qualifications were issued to four jack-up drilling rigs. These qualifications refer to the interrelated factors of wind speed, water depth and wave height which determine the areas in which these rigs may operate.