SPM NEEL PRATAP 180

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Repair work on grounded rig going ahead months after tug lost it

Repair work on the grounded oil rig 'Ocean Valiant' off El Houichate, which was lost by the 'SPM Neel Pratab 180' on Jan 12, in the Bizerte Governorate, were continuing in preparation for its upcoming towing to a Turkish port, a governorate statement said on May 13. The Tunisian authorities—local, regional, and central—were working together to finalize the technical and administrative interventions necessary to refloat the platform, while ensuring that the rights of the Tunisian state are protected. Despite difficult weather conditions in recent weeks, marked by strong winds and strong sea currents, more than 40 cubic meters of sand accumulated beneath the structure have been extracted. The operations also enabled the suction of polluted water and liquids that had seeped into the platform. These actions were carried out in collaboration with the tug 'Rota Salvor', tasked with the salvage operation, in accordance with the environmental protocol approved by the Tunisian authorities. The repair work on the cracks observed in the lower part of the structure has reached a completion rate of over 80% on the seaward side, while repairs to the northern side have already been completed by companies specializing in underwater welding. Barring adverse weather conditions, the operations to refloat the platform are expected to begin in the second half of June 2025. Report with photo: https://lapresse.tn/2025/05/14/tunisie-remise-a-flot-imminente-de-la-plateforme-petroliere-echouee-a-el-houichate/

Second tug deployed to assist SPM Neel Pratab 180 in refloating grounded Ocean Valiant

Regional authorities will begin implementing the salvage plan for the grounded oil rig Ocean Valiant', 27149 gt (IMO: 8753330), off El Houichet, Bizerte, next week, and dispatched a second Turkish tug, the 'Rota Salvor' (IMO: 7931894), to assist in refloating the grounded rig. The 'SPM Néel Pratab 180' is currently near the rig with a crew of 20 on board. The second tug has obtained navigation authorization and sailed from Aliaga on March 8 after the finalization of certain administrative procedures by the authorities, including the notification of regional and security authorities. It anchored in pos. 37° 19' N 009° 32' E on March 16. On Jan 12, 2025, the Tunisian forces assisted the 'SPM Neel Pratab 180' and its crew off the Houichet region of Bizerte after the towing cables to the rig broke due to adverse weather conditions off Bizerte near the coast of Ras Angela. The intervention allowed the vessel to dock without damage. The present situation was posing no environmental risk due to the absence of any petroleum or other substances harmful to the marine environment aboard the rig. Report with photo: https://www.leconomistemaghrebin.com/2025/03/16/operation-de-sauvetage-la-plateforme-petroliere-sera-remorquee-vers-la-turquie/

Divers deployed to grounded oil rig

After the grounding of the 'Ocean Valiant', no leaks have been detected so far, and the incident has not caused any casualties. The authorities were currently assessing the material damage. Tunisia, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, would contact the country of origin of the tug 'SPM Neel Paratab 180' to request the necessary assistance to recover the platform. A working meeting was held on Jan 15 at the Presidency of the Government, where it was decided to call on the company responsible for the towing to carry out this operation. A plan is underway to transport the platform to Aliaga, its original destination before the incident, which occurred due to the breakage of the towing wire between the tug and the platform. The Minister of Transport has ordered an investigation, and divers went to the grounding site on Jan 16 to carry out additional checks. In addition, Tunisian rescue teams intervened on Jan 12 to assist the crew of the tug and secure the platform. The rig was formerly owned by the New York-listed offshore drilling contractor Diamond Offshore which was bought by Noble in 2024. Before the acquisition was closed, the compay sold the 50-year-old semisub rig 'Ocean Monarch' for scrap and announced that the same would be done with the 'Ocean Valiant' which hasn’t had a contract since 2020. Reports with photos: https://realites.com.tn/fr/bizerte-plateforme-petroliere-echouee-aucune-pollution-detectee-jusqua-present/ https://www.leconomistemaghrebin.com/2025/01/16/retour-circonstances-lechouement-plateforme-petroliere-a-bizerte/ https://splash247.com/semisub-drilling-rig-runs-aground-off-tunisia/