Press release
Handling of a drill incident on the AEOLUS vessel
Lézardrieux / Saint-Brieuc / Paris – July 28, 2021 –
An incident was reported this morning by the Captain of the AEOLUS ship to the CROSS Corsen (Regional Operational Surveillance and Rescue Center) and the maritime coordination of Ailes Ailes Marines (MCC).
During the series of drilling operations on position SB57, a technical incident was noted on one of the ship's three drilling rigs. Upon learning of the incident, the Van Oord company stopped all drilling activities in progress on the AEOLUS and decided to reassemble the drill rig concerned. When the tool was raised, a release of hydraulic fluid of the “PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 46” type was observed on the deck of the AEOLUS ship and in the marine environment.
July
Enforcement of environmental safety protocols
Ailes Marines immediately applied the new reinforced environmental security protocols and tools. Three surveillance vessels were deployed in the area. The two surveillance vessels, the REM TRADER and the BON SECOURS 7, searched for traces of iridescence on the surface. The REM TRADER also took several seawater samples near the AEOLUS.
The REM TRADER, equipped with absorbent tubes, and the TSM PENZER, equipped with a floating boom, took preventive action near the AEOLUS vessel.
As part of the agreement signed on June 21 with the Research and Experimentation Documentation Center on accidental water pollution, CEDRE provided the Ailes Ailes Marines with modeling of the incident and the map of the zones. to be controlled by air and water means.
Several aerial visual checks
Ailes Marines carried out two helicopter flights over the area. The crews did not notice the presence of iridescence or the formation of slicks in the marine environment.
For their part, the maritime authorities also carried out a control flight over the area.
The nautical and air assets mobilized by Ailes Marines will continue their surveillance mission for several days in collaboration with the maritime authorities.
Hydraulic fluids used by Van Oord
For its drilling operations, Van Oord uses hydraulic equipment. These tools operate with a hydraulic fluid specially designed and developed for work at sea. PANOLIN is classified in the category of “easily biodegradable fluids” according to the international criteria of OECD 301B, with a low impact on the environment. The PANOLIN HLP SYNTH 46 used in the drill belongs to this product range.
About Ailes Marines
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- 496 MW of installed power
- 1,820 GWh/year of production, i.e. the annual electricity consumption of 835,000 inhabitants (heating included)
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