The background to this activity is that Barents Sea South-East is a new area for exploration drilling without nearby wells from which to draw significant experience. Great distances and the Arctic location may entail particular area- and location-specific challenges for the planning and execution of exploration drilling.
Objective
The purpose of the activity was to examine how Statoil, together with the drilling contractor and other parties involved, have conducted the planning process. This included gathering information, use of the relevant experience and risk assessments for preparing robust plans for exploration drilling in the new areas opened up in Barents Sea South-East, and well 7435/12-1 specifically.
Result
No non-conformities were identified.
Improvement points were identified linked to risk reduction, decoupling from BOPs in the event of incidents, routines for testing the ice deflection system and monitoring and managing ice fragments.
We have asked Statoil to report on how the improvement points will be addressed by 21 August 2017.