PSA Norway Targets Drilling Systems on West Elara Jack-Up Drilling Facility

The Petroleum Safety Authority Norway​ (PSA) conducted an audit targeting drilling and well technology systems on board the West Elara jack-up drilling facility.

North Atlantic Drilling has applied to the PSA for an AoC (Acknowledgement of Compliance) for West Elara. The facility has not previously had an AoC as it is a newbuild which arrived at the yard in Ølen in early October 2011. Here the facility is undergoing commissioning and equipment testing in order to operate on the Norwegian continental shelf.

The objective of the activity was to verify that technical aspects in the drilling and well technology disciplines are safeguarded in accordance with requirements in the HSE regulations for the petroleum activities. The company’s own compliance measurements were used as a basis for the verifications.

Improvement items were identified in relation to:

Manual valves

Integrity classification of safety level (SIL) on the BOP control system

Cutting function on the BOP following modification

Safety level of electrical motors and hoisting gear in the drilling module

[mappress]

Offshore Nieuws Staff, December 16, 2011