Ocean Monarch drill rig arrives in Hobart for maintenance and repairs

Here’s a sight you certainly don’t see every day — a massive drill rig in Hobart’s River Derwent. Like it or not, the Ocean Monarch is set to become part of the seascape for up to three months.

2 min read

November 16, 2018 - 7:56PM

The Ocean Monarch cut a dramatic figure in the River Derwent this morning. Picture: PHIL YOUNG

Tasmania

Don't miss out on the headlines from Tasmania. Followed categories will be added to My News.

UPDATED: A HUGE drill rig — about 110m long and wide and almost 40m tall — has dropped anchor at Ralphs Bay in the River Derwent, where it is set to remain for up to 12 weeks.

The Ocean Monarch drilling platform will remain in the river while it undergoes general maintenance and minor repairs.

Local marine business Taylor Brothers won the contract to perform the work while the rig, owned by Diamond Offshore, has a gap in its drilling schedule.

WELL-OILED RIG READY TO RIDE UP THE RIVER DERWENT

The environmental regulation of the Ocean Monarch is being managed by the Environment Protection Authority while it is moored in Ralphs Bay.

EPA director Wes Ford said an Environment Protection Notice was issued to Diamond Offshore on the basis that the temporary mooring may cause serious or material environmental harm or environmental nuisance.

He said the EPA is satisfied the company has met the requirements of the EPN, including the preparation of an Environmental Management Plan.

“Reasonable and practicable conditions are required to prevent or minimise environmental harm to the receiving environment, namely the Derwent River and residents of Taroona, Opossum Bay, Tranmere and Sandford,” Mr Ford said.

The Ocean Monarch oil rig arrives in the River Derwent this morning. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

“The EPA’s conditions cover the management of sewage and produce waste associated with the daily living of people on the rig [such as] noise emissions from crane work and diesel generators; floodlights at night; and pollutants.

“Approval has been granted for the temporary mooring until 31 January, 2019.”

Taylor Brothers commercial director Phillip Taylor said the rig would remain in the River Derwent for eight to 12 weeks.

“There’s a lot of interest,” Mr Taylor said.

“It’s [part] of our ongoing work in the oil and gas industry.”

Mr Taylor said the company generally worked in places such as the North West Shelf off Western Australia and New Zealand.

“Normally we’re going away, and this time one is coming here,” he said.

In a Notice to Mariners, Marine and Safety Tasmania said an exclusion zone of 500m was in place for the duration of the rig’s stay.

MAST said mariners should transit with care in the area.

The big rig is a most unusual visitor to our waters. Picture: PHIL YOUNG

Hobart man Tim Smith was employed by Sea Oil Services in 1985 at the age of 19 after another oil rig, the Diamond M Epoch, visited Hobart for maintenance and berthed at Macquarie Wharf.

Mr Smith worked in catering on the rig from 1985 to 1987 in Bass Strait.

He said the Diamond M Epoch was the first oil rig to visit Hobart, and the Ocean Monarch was the second.

“It brings back a lot of memories,” Mr Smith said. “The comradeship of people that I worked with, it brings a tear to my eyes in many ways to remember those good times.”

The drill rig has connections to Hollywood — it featured in the action movie Armageddon, starring Bruce Willis.

It will not be undertaking exploratory work or drilling for oil in the river.

EARLIER: A MASSIVE drill rig — about 110m long and wide and almost 40m tall — has arrived in the River Derwent for general maintenance and minor repairs.

The Ocean Monarch oil drilling rig pictured off Blackmans Bay near Hobart early on Friday, November 16. Picture: RICHARD JUPE

The Ocean Monarch drilling platform will anchor outside the Port of Hobart over the next eight to 12 weeks as local marine business Taylor Brothers expands its operations in the oil and gas sector through another major contract.