Byford Dolphin

Byford Dolphin is a diving support vessel and oil drilling rig operated by Dolphin Drilling, a Fred. Olsen Energy subsidiary. Named after the English town of Byford, the rig has been contracted by numerous companies for drilling operations, primarily in the North Sea.

History

The Byford Dolphin was constructed by Aker Engineering of Oslo, Norway in 1974. It has undergone several upgrades and refurbishments, the most recent of which was in 2004. The rig is registered in Singapore, but it is operated out of Aberdeen, Scotland.

Design and Specifications

The Byford Dolphin has a length of 108.2 meters, a breadth of 67.4 meters, and a depth of 36.6 meters. It is capable of operating at a water depth of up to 460 meters and can drill down to approximately 7,500 meters. The rig is equipped with a DP3 dynamic positioning system and a 15-man saturation diving system.

Notable Incidents

The Byford Dolphin has been involved in several notable incidents. The most infamous of these occurred in 1984, when an accident during a routine dive led to the Byford Dolphin Diving Bell Accident, resulting in the deaths of five workers. This incident led to significant changes in safety procedures and regulations within the offshore drilling industry.

Current Operations

As of 2021, the Byford Dolphin is contracted to BP for drilling operations in the North Sea. The rig continues to be a significant asset in the offshore drilling industry, contributing to the exploration and extraction of petroleum resources.

See Also

• Offshore drilling
• Oil platform
• Diving bell
• Saturation diving