Essar Wildcat gets top safety rating
GSPC might complain that the semi-submersible Essar Wildcat has too many mechanical breakdowns but a ratings agency has lauded Wildcat’s health and safety record.
International Risk Control Asia conducted a two-day health and safety audit in late January on Wildcat, now drilling well KG#19, and said that the Stop Card System onboard leads to quick reports of unsafe acts and conditions. Also praised were systems to prevent ladder falls and one to handle pipes from rack to drill floor that has minimised injury risks.
A mechanised tong on the drill floor and good hygiene by the crew rounds off this upbeat picture. Essar Wildcat was temporarily out-of-action in November and December last year while at KG-OSN-2001/3 when an anchor handling boat dashed against a column.
The incident happened just as the rig returned from nearly four months in Singapore to get a new $25m Blow Out Preventor to replace one that sprung a leak while drilling well KG#19.