Drilling operations resumed aboard the Mobile Offshore Drilling Unit (MODU) Transocean Barents on Friday after being shutdown for a week following an unauthorized discharge of 28,000 litres of synthetic based mud.
The Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board (CNLOPB) says it has met with Suncor Energy representatives regularly since the incident occurred in the Terra Nova Field about 350 kilometres southeast of St. John’s.
Related story:
Drilling fluid spills from Suncor’s Transocean Barents rig Friday
“As Suncor continues to finalize its investigation report into the cause of the discharge, they have increased oversight activities with the addition of senior Suncor and contractor management personnel on the Transocean Barents,” the CNLOPB stated in a bulletin. “Additional mitigations have been put in place and procedural enhancements have been implemented.”
Support vessels in the area are still monitoring for environmental impacts, and a subsea survey showed no impact on marine life.
“CNLOPB staff are satisfied with the steps that Suncor has taken to date and, upon review of material presented, are satisfied that this was not the result of equipment failure and that corrective measures allow for resumption of operations.”
Find this story informative? Subscribe to our e-edition for $1.99 a week at http://bit.ly/2rofvW2.
