MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Loss of power on “Ocean Guardian” drilling rig causes partial evacuation

The Ocean Guardian expects to resume normal operations within a week (Photo:offshore247.com)

Rockhopper Exploration plc has confirmed that a loss of power occurred on the Ocean Guardian drill rig on the 16th October 2011 leading to a partial evacuation of all non-essential personnel.

The loss of power occurred whilst the rig was preparing to move to its next well location following the successful plugging and abandonment of well 14/10-8 in the north Falklands Basin. As a result of the loss of power onboard all non-essential personnel were down-manned as a precautionary measure, by helicopter to shore. A number of local Falkland Island drivers were mobilised late on Sunday to assist in transporting evacuated crew, who had left all personal effects behind onboard, from the forward helipad at Cape Dolphin to Stanley.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that loss of power may have affected anchor handling operations onboard and the ability to re-ballast the rig, thus temporarily delaying movement of the drill rig. Images of the listing “Ocean Guardian” drill rig appeared and were rapidly circulated on social networking sites.

Rockhopper Exploration has confirmed that Power has now been re-established and appropriate checks are currently being undertaken prior to the expected re-manning of the rig and resumption of normal operations within the week.

Rockhopper remains in close communication with the Falkland Islands Government and stress that the incident had no environmental impact and resulted in no injuries to personnel onboard.

The “Ocean Guardian” drilling rig, which belongs to Diamond Offshore Drilling and which has done all the drilling so far in Falklands’ waters, remains on contract with Rockhopper Exploration and will continue with spudding of well 14/10-9 after re-location to the new drill site. Rockhopper will make a further announcement on spudding of well 14/10-9.

By Grant Munro – Sealedpr - Stanley