The Petroleum Safety Authority (PSA) has granted Det norske consent to use the Safe Zephyrus semi-submersible accommodation rig to accommodate personnel during the completion and start-up phase of the Ivar Aasen development off Norway.

Det norske is the operator of the Ivar Aasen field, located 175 kilometers west of Karmøy in Rogaland county.

The Ivar Aasen field has been developed using a production, drilling accommodation platform on a steel jacket and a jack-up rig for well drilling and completion. Production at the field is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2016.

The PSA said that the consent to use the flotel Safe Zephyrus applies until February 1, 2017, but will continue to be valid if the start-up period extends beyond schedule. If that is the case, Det norske needs to notify the PSA in advance, the agency said.

The flotel, built by Sembcorp Marine’s Jurong Shipyard, was completed in November 2015 and delivered to its owner in January 2016. The flotel’s owner, Prosafe, was able to nominate either Safe Zephyrus or its sister rig Safe Boreas for the contract with Det norske.

Built based on the GVA 3000E design, the Safe Zephyrus is capable of operating gangway connected in deep water and harsh environments alongside fixed platforms, floating platforms and floating production offloading vessels.

The unit has a capacity of 450 persons in individual cabins. It is owned and operated by Prosafe, registered in Singapore, and classified by DNV GL.

The flotel received its Acknowledgment of Compliance (AoC) from the PSA on July 19, 2016.