The QGOG Olinda Star Semi-submersible, ex-PETROBRAS P-XIII (SS-20), this Wednesday, December 19, 2018,  lists off India's coast, (linked to Alex A. Albuquerque Post on LinkedIn).

This Semi-submersible was built by the Consortium U.I.E. | C.F.E.M (Union Industrialle de Enterprise - Compagnie Française D'Enterprise Metaliques, in Marseille, France, in 1983, being Classified by Bureau Veritas (B.V.). On 1986, it was considered by PETROBRAS' GEPEM (Executive Group for Maritime Drilling) to utilize its Ballast Control and Stability System to develop a Simulator. This Vessel, from QGOG upgraded in 2009, was renamed Olinda Star.

The ONGC informed that all 111 crew members on the rig, Olinda Star Platform, were evacuated on December 14 and December 15 after the India Meteorological Department forecast the Cyclone Phethai. “The rig, which weathered the strong winds, is being brought full stability, offshore the Krishna Godavari basin off Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh.

The India Meteorological Department released a bulletin on Sunday morning that squally winds of 55 to 65 km per hour, gusting up to 75 km per hour are expected in Coastal Andhra Pradesh. “Sea conditions are very likely to become very rough to high along and off south Andhra Pradesh and North Tamil Nadu coast,” the bulletin added. “Fishermen are advised not to venture into these areas.”

Prior to the onset of severe Cyclone Phethai, the crew suspended operations and were evacuated to shore, informed the Indian Navy. “Olinda Star is observed to be tilted and possibly sustained damage by the impact of Severe Cyclone Phethai, with winds gust up to 85 km/hour, until after better weather permits the mobilized Rescue Team, to access the site and stabilize the Semi-submersible Brazilian Drilling Rig Platform”.