The Norwegian Petroleum Safety Authority found several safety breaches during an audit of Rowan’s jack-up rig Rowan Viking, carried out in February 2016.
During the audit, the rig was located on the Edvard Grieg field in the North Sea, offshore Norway.
The objective of the audit was to verify compliance with the company’s own requirements and regulatory requirements in relation to operational, administrative and technical matters.
The agency found several non conformities during an inspection related to crushing hazards, fire stations and life jacket shortcomings. It was also determined that the crew lacked competence and training related to emergency preparedness.
The safety authority further noted that the company should pay more attention to maintenance of lifting equipment and lifting gear, securing evacuation routes at heel and emergency lighting among other things.
Rowan has been given until May 2, 2016 to respond on how these issues would be dealt with.
The Rowan Viking is a jack-up rig, built in Singapore in 2010.
The rig was upgraded in 2014 by Dutch company Damen. The upgrade included the extension of the rig’s three legs by 10 metres to 180 metres, a five-yearly special periodic survey, and bringing the rig up to standard for the AoC (Acknowledgement of Compliance) certification required by the Norwegian authorities as it was to be used by the Swedish oil company Lundin to drill on the Norwegian continental shelf.