Oil rig to depart this week

MARION VAN DIJK/Nelson Mail

HIGH AND DRY: The oil rig Ensco 56 jacked up on its legs for maintenance at Port Nelson on Saturday.

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The alien form of the Ensco 56 oil-drilling rig, which for several weeks has provided a curious backdrop to Nelson's waterfront, would likely leave this week, rig manager Stuart Johnstone said Monday.

He said the self-elevating "jackup" rig was cranked up high above the port on Saturday while maintenance was carried out on the legs, which had been "pinned" to the seabed.

The 143m-tall, 53m-wide rig, which was towed into Nelson in late May, has now undergone a successful maintenance programme and, weather permitting, would be towed out of Nelson and north to Taranaki on either Wednesday or Thursday, Mr Johnstone said.

"We're ready to go, and we're now just waiting on another towing vessel. The programme has gone very well indeed."

Mr Johnstone said the skills and service shown in Nelson meant it was likely that more work would be done here.

Kernohan Engineering's marine division managed the refit contract. Director Brian Kidson said on Monday a large part of the maintenance work involved replacing steel plating on various parts of the rig's hull and deck, maintenance on water jetting lines and replacement of some of the generator exhaust systems.

"Everyone is happy with how it has gone," Mr Kidson said.

Mr Johnstone said the Ensco 56 would head back to a position off the Taranaki coast, where it would be contracted to oil exploration company Australian Drilling Associates for a 60-day drill. Another 60-day drill in the same area would be likely to follow, he said.

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