Guardian
The Cosmic Force
_http://www.wfmz.com/money/23650027/detail.html
OSLO, Norway -- Norway's Statoil says it has partly evacuated an oil rig in the North Sea after encountering an unexpected change in pressure while drilling a well.
Statoil spokesman Gisle Johanson says the situation is "stable" and that all safety systems are working properly and there is nothing to indicate a spill will take place. He says 89 of the 229 workers on the Gullfaks C platform were taken off the rig as a precaution while the remainder worked to normalize well pressure.
Johanson said Friday said that highly variable pressure levels in the rock formation being drilled likely caused the unforeseen pressure change. He said Statoil was prepared to handle such incidents, which "happen from time to time."
He said it's not clear when the rig will be running again.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
OSLO, Norway -- Norway's Statoil says it has partly evacuated an oil rig in the North Sea after encountering an unexpected change in pressure while drilling a well.
Statoil spokesman Gisle Johanson says the situation is "stable" and that all safety systems are working properly and there is nothing to indicate a spill will take place. He says 89 of the 229 workers on the Gullfaks C platform were taken off the rig as a precaution while the remainder worked to normalize well pressure.
Johanson said Friday said that highly variable pressure levels in the rock formation being drilled likely caused the unforeseen pressure change. He said Statoil was prepared to handle such incidents, which "happen from time to time."
He said it's not clear when the rig will be running again.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
