Oil rig evacuated

*”Oil company Total Norge was evacuating nearly 300 workers off an accommodation platform in the North Sea on Friday, after two of the platform’s 12 anchor chains broke.  

The platform, owned by Awilco Offshore of Norway, was said to be relatively secure, but most of the 324 persons on board would be flown off to ensure their security, Total said. The Port Reval platform on the Frigg field was to retain minimum staffing of 38 persons. The anchor chains broke during a storm in the area that involved winds reaching hurricane strength at times.

The Frigg field lies on the border between the Norwegian and British sectors of the North Sea. Eight helicopters were chartered in for the evacuation operation to Sola airport just south of Stavanger.

*”/”*Lifted by Korir and Published by African Press in Norway, apn, africanpress@chello.no tel +47 932 99 739 or +47 6300 2525.source.aftenpostenENG