Statoil reported a fire on the Scarabeo 5 drilling rig in the Njord field in the Norwegian Sea.

As of 20:30, Statoil said that there are no longer visible flames or smoke at the site of the fire on board Scarabeo 5, and the situation is under control. Work is under way to achieve final clarification and normalization.

The fire broke out in an engine room earlier today (22 November) at 17:30 local time, with fire extinguishing efforts carried out.

A total of 106 personnel were on board the vessel, in which all have been accounted for and no one reported missing. A total of 33 persons have been transported from the rig by helicopter, of which 14 of these were flown to a nearby installation and 19 to shore in Kristiansund, Statoil said.

At 18:45 73 persons remained on board and there are no plans currently to move more people from the rig. Personnel are no longer mustered at the lifeboat stations, but are able to remain indoors and can return to their cabins, Statoil confirmed.

Scarabeo 5 is currently located at the Njord field in the Norwegian Sea. No drilling operations were underway when the incident occurred. The rig is equipped with two engine rooms and a total of eight engines.

The standby vessels Ocean Response and Troms Sirius are at the field and assisting the drilling rig. Three helicopters are also available in connection with the incident, Statoil said.

There are no other installations currently at the Njord field.

Statoil’s second and third-line response organization has been mobilized to assist with the incident.

Earlier today, Statoil notified the public rescue services and the authorities of the situation. Statoil’s emergency preparedness organization were mobilized and resources were being assembled to handle the incident. Personnel without emergency duties were mustered to the lifeboat stations and preparations were made to evacuate them by helicopter.

Scarabeo 5 is operated by Saipem Norwegian Branch.

Earlier this month, Norway’s Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) granted Statoil consent to use the Scarabeo 5 semisubmersible rig for well activities on the Njord field.

The Njord field has been developed using a semisubmersible drilling, accommodation and production facility, Njord A, and the Njord B FSU. Water depth at the site is 330m. Production on the field began in 1997.

Source: www.oedigital.com