[Tom Hilton]

Howdy,
Heard a rumor that the floater Deepwater Nautilus is missing. It took a direct hit from Ivan. Anyone heard anything?
Tom Hilton

 

[Blue Water Roughneck]

Tom,
The rig was moored up in 8600' of water. My guess is the mooring lines parted and it capsized. It would be a good snapper structure if the water wasn't so deep.

 

[Slightly Dangerous]

This is from their website:

Transocean Inc. Semisubmersible Deepwater Nautilus Unaccounted For Following Storm

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2004--Transocean Inc. (NYSE:RIG) today announced that a search continues in the Gulf of Mexico for the deepwater semisubmersible Deepwater Nautilus in the aftermath of Hurricane Ivan. All personnel had previously been safely evacuated and the well was secured before the approach of the storm. The U.S. Coast Guard has been notified of the missing rig, which was moored to the seafloor with anchors and related equipment at its location approximately 160 miles south of Mobile, Alabama.

The company has accounted for all of its other drilling rigs in the Gulf of Mexico, consisting of five deepwater drillships and three other deepwater semisubmersible rigs. The company will provide an update when more information becomes available.

 

[galveston1602]

What a difference 70 miles can make.

Transocean Inc. Confirms Semisubmersible Deepwater Nautilus Found in Gulf of Mexico

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 16, 2004--Transocean Inc. (NYSE:RIG) today announced that its semisubmersible rig Deepwater Nautilus has been located in the Gulf of Mexico, more than 70 miles northeast of its original location prior to the arrival of Hurricane Ivan. A visual inspection from a fixed-wing aircraft did not indicate any damage to the unit. A complete assessment of the rig's condition will be made once personnel board the unit.

Statements regarding the condition of the Deepwater Nautilus and the timing of further inspections, as well as any other statements that are not historical facts in this release, are forward-looking statements that involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These include but are not limited to operating hazards and delays, risks associated with international operations, results of investigations regarding riser, actions by customers and other third parties, the future price of oil and gas and other factors detailed in the company's most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated.

 

[galveston1602]

in addition to that I was searching around a little and found this. I guess ive never paid much attention after a storm passes to the floating rigs. that or there are more floating rigs now.

At least five rigs adrift in the Gulf

The Associated Press
September 16, 2004

Five offshore oil rigs were set adrift in the Gulf of Mexico and three others were damaged by Hurricane Ivan, the Coast Guard said Thursday.

The Coast Guard said it received a report from Diamond Offshore Inc. that a 335-foot semi-submersible mobile offshore drilling unit, the Ocean Star 1762, is adrift and being pushed by heavy winds and seas about 230 miles southeast of Mobile, Ala. The rig had been evacuated and no one is aboard. There were no reports of pollution.

Diamond Offshore has dispatched two vessels to assist with recovering the rig and was providing the Coast Guard with updates.

The Deepwater Nautilus, another semi-submersible owned by Transocean Inc., reportedly broke free from its anchor and is also adrift in the Gulf of Mexico. A Falcon jet crew from Coast Guard Aviation Training Center Mobile, Ala., along with aircraft from Transocean Inc. and Shell Oil, are searching for the rig.

Three other rigs that were drifting - the Ocean America, the Jim Thompson and the jack-up Ensco 64 - are either awaiting assistance vessels or have secured themselves.

The Coast Guard was also notified that three fixed platforms owned by Noble Energy were damaged during the hurricane. A sheen in the water was also reported near one of the platforms.

 

[Blacktip]

Just an irrational thought....

Someone wanna run out there with a tow rope and claim salvage rights? I can just see someone out there with a 23' CC and a shotgun claiming "this rig is mine, Go find yourselves another!" Think the oil company attorneys could find a loop hole in maritime salvage law for a multi-million dollar floater?

 

[Monarchy]

Found as of last night....70 miles away from where they left it!

 

[Monarchy]

Sometimes I crack myself up

Subscription to weather service - $250
Helicopter evacuation of crew - $9,000
Losing a 9,500 metric tonne, $100MM semi - PRICELESS

Have you seen me? If so, please call TransOcean Drilling

 

[michaelbaranowski]

I wonder if they want to build a new rig. Cause I sure know we could use the work.

 

[Over the Edge]

Monarcchy,

It is a 350 million dollar semi! They have found the Nautilus. It was approximately 70 miles from its original location.

 

[InfamousJ]

Someone wanna run out there with a tow rope and claim salvage rights? I can just see someone out there with a 23' CC and a shotgun claiming "this rig is mine, Go find yourselves another!" Think the oil company attorneys could find a loop hole in maritime salvage law for a multi-million dollar floater?

A "derelict" is a vessel that has been left by its crew that has no intention to return and no hope of recovery. However, even when a vessel is "abandoned" and left without intention to return, the vessel remains the property of its owner absent some affirmative act by the owner that clearly and convincingly establishes a positive intent to part with ownership.