HC Deb 03 April 1980 vol 982 cc297-9W
Mr. Emery

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.

26. Mr. Gray

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.

Atlantic I April 1979: Satisfactory condition, minor dent in shell plate

Atlantic II April 1979: None, satisfactory condition

Zapata Nordic Jack up installation

Dyvi Beta Jack up installation

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

Nortroll January 1980: Minor cracks being monitored prior to repair

Ocean Voyager April 1978: Minor crack repaired

Ocean Kokuei September 1978: None, satisfactory condition

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

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

Chris Chenery November 1978: None, satisfactory condition.

Borgny Dolphin November 1978. None, satisfactory condition.

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

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

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

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

Kingsnorth United Kingdom March 1979: None, satisfactory condition.

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

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

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.