Successful rig move during Indian Covid-19 lockdown
AqualisBraemar has supported the successful rig move of jack-up rig Sagar Ratna from Pipavav dry dock to her monsoon drilling location. The operators overcame significant practical and logistical challenges to complete the rig move in spite of the travel constraints imposed by the Covid-19 lockdown.
Oil & Natural Gas Corporation’s (ONGC) jack-up rig Sagar Ratna completed drydocking at the Pipavav port at the west coast of India and was scheduled to be towed to her monsoon drilling location offshore the west coast of India. AqualisBraemar, acting as marine warranty surveyor to ONGC, assisted with the rig move during the Indian Covid-19 lockdown, which put substantial limitations on personnel movement.
In order to move from Pipavav port, the 1-kilometre long approach channel required dredging to allow the rig to transit the channel at high water spring tide. There were only three suitable tidal windows for departure. The whole operation was carried out in six stages, and each phase had to be carefully planned, coordinated and executed with clockwork precision.
Despite the challenges caused by the limited tidal window and the Covid-19 lockdown, the rig was successfully towed from the Pipavav dry dock and positioned at her drilling location in good time before onset of the Indian south-west monsoon season, when weather conditions would have delayed the operation.
“Under normal circumstances, this is a difficult undertaking given the tight tidal window and requirement to dredge the channel. There was a lot of pressure to complete this rig move before the weather closed in. AqualisBraemar is pleased to have been involved with this operation, and its success is testament to the organisation, planning and execution by ONGC. It highlights how just how important good teamwork is to any operation, particularly when constrained by today’s pandemic situation. I am very proud that we were able to contribute to the operation as part of their team and that it all went so well despite the many hurdles to overcome,” said Rodger Dickson, group managing director – offshore, at AqualisBraemar.
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About AqualisBraemar ASA
AqualisBraemar ASA (OSE: Aqua) is a public listed company that, through its subsidiaries and associates, offers adjusting, marine, offshore and renewables consultancy services to the energy, shipping and insurance industries. The group employs specialist engineers, naval architects, master mariners, loss adjusters and technical consultants in 48 offices located across 5 continents in 31 countries. AqualisBraemar ASA operates under three distinct brands globally:
- AqualisBraemar: a leading adjusting, marine and offshore consultancy to the energy, shipping and insurance industries
- AqualisBraemar Yacht Services: a specialised marine consultant to the superyacht market
- OWC: an independent consultancy to the offshore renewables sector