Zhivko

13 декември 2011, 03:00

Phil, So far so good. The weather is well within the limits and forecast is likewise. At present we are proceeding on general course 240 degrees and plan to keep this course for next two days to come closer to coast of Sakhalin for shelter from prevailing NW winds and than go SSW towards Korsakov. The rig receives dedicated en route forecast from Sakhmeteo and weather fax surface analysis/forecasts from Japan Meteo. Kolskaya is sending trice daily position reports to AMNGR (0800; 1600 and 2400 Moscow time - GMT+4). Please note latest position report as follows: 13122011 0700LT (GMT+11) Position report: Lat 53º 50.2’ N Long 152º 55.2’ E Course 240ºT Speed – 2.8 kn Distance covered (from previous report) – 25.3 nm, Total covered – 110.0 nm. DTG – 740 nm ETA 21/12 0800LT (GMT+11) I/B “Magadan” Tow line: 800 m Power – 70t Tug “Neftegaz 55” Tow line: 750 m Power – 40t Wind: NW (300º) 16 m/s Visibility: 6 nm Barometer: 745 mm Temp: -7ºC Current: 0 nm Sea/Swell: NW / 3 m (visible max height) Water depth: 600 m Weather: Partly cloudy Sea state: Moderate It has to be noted the weather station on the rig is out of order and it is relied on tugs to provide wind speed data. The guys there appear to exaggerate the wind speed. The apparent wind now is about 5 Beaufort. I have discussed the rig's schedule with Mikhail Tersin (AMNGR towmaster), Alexander Kovalenko (Rig Manager), Alexander Kozlov (RigMaster) and Sergey Danilov (acting Rig Master) with following points clarified: 1 It appears the AMNGR have already signed a contract with VietSovPetro, Vietnam for workover of a number of existing wells on 2 platforms off Vung Tau, Vietnam. 2.The jack-up position in Korsakov is under discussion with Bukhta Morzh (Centre Point 45deg 57'21.75"N 142 deg 08' 04.46"E and area 1 x 1 km) and Bukhta Lososey (about 8 nm from Korsakov - the Transocean Shelf Explorer soft pinned there in 2009 before towage to drilling area off North Sakhalin). 3. It was advised the Port Authorities in Korsakov would not allow sailaway in winter time of the rig for Vietnam (The rig's operation's manual states quote: Ocean tow is not allowed in the winter time on the winter season zone unquote). Therefore the AMNGR reportedly will prepare paper work for sailaway to Wakanai and enroute will change destination to Vietnam without probably calling Wakanai at all.

4. Schedule appears as follows: Korsakov: ETA 21-22 Dec 2011 ETD Korsakov - 05-07 January 2012 (most optimistic) Please request AMNGR to keep you and underwriters updated on their plans and to provide Towing Manual for intended towage(s) soonest to avoid delays in approval. Best regards, Zhivko

16 Декември 2011, 12:15

Phil, At 0800 today reached within about 150 NM from Sakhalin and altered course to 190 deg True. In the afternoon AMNGR have advised new destination – Bukhta Zyryanovskaya (Lat 46°54.5N Long 141°58’E), about 10nm South from Kholmsk. Capt. Tersin planned route as follows: WP 1 Lat 51°40’N Long 147°14’E Course 194° x 224’ This is rig’s position at 0800 16/12 WP2 Lat 48°N Long 145°47’E Course 218° x 155’ WP3 Lat 45°56’N Long 143°25’E Course 263° x 60’ WP4 Lat 45°48’N Long 142°E Course 327° x 25’ WP5 Lat 46°10’N Long 141°40’E Course 360° x 27’ WP6 Lat 46°37N Long 141°40’E Course 033° x 22’ WP7 Lat 46°54.5N Long 141°58’E Total 513nm ETA 21/12 PM. Present speed – 4.9kn Weather: NW 10-13 m/s Sea: 3 - 3.5 m (max height).

Tugs: I/B “Magadan” Tow line: 800 m Power – 80t Tug “Neftegaz 55” Tow line: 750 m Power – 50t Best regards, Zhivko

16 Декември 2011, 12:24

Phil, In view of forthcoming towage(s) of “Kolskaya” to Wakanai/Vung Tau please note following comments based on experience of this towage to date: 1. Towing Documentation

1.1 Instead of a comprehensive towing manual AMNGR have prepared following documentation: - Project of towage of MODU “Kolskaya” in the Sea of Okhotsk Doc. No.RR-22- 360115.001-02 dated 29.11.2011 – prepared by AMNGR Project department and noted by RMRS - Manual for safe towage Doc. No. RR-22-360115.001-03 dated 29.11.2011) – prepared by AMNGR Project department and noted by RMRS - Passage plan – No doc number, dated 25.11.2011 - Prepared by Capt. Mikhail Tersin and approved by Mr. Vasiliy Vasetskiy – AMNGR Internal document - Instruction on safe towage - No doc number - Prepared by Capt. Mikhail Tersin and approved by Mr. Vasiliy Vasetskiy on 29.11.2011 – AMNGR Internal document - Order no. 351/02.12.2011 of the Acting Director General Mr. Melekhov appointing Capt. Tersin as Tow Master and Capt. Kozlov as Rig Mover. 1.2 By order of the management AMNGR have initially appointed the Rig Master Capt. Aleksander Kozlov as Rig Mover and he remained after his tour of duty on the rig together with his BTB Capt. Sergey Danilov. On 02.12.2011 AMNGR have issued new order appointing as Tow Master Capt. Mikhail Tersin, while Capt. Kozlov remained responsible for jacking down/up at Drilling location and in Lay up position respectively. It appeared that Capt. Kozlov was not informed about this change, Capt. Tersin had no copy of the new order with him and a phone call to management in Murmansk was required to find out who is in charge.

1.3 The towing documentation should define roles and responsibilities of the team: Tow Master, Rig Manager, Rig Master, Tug’s Masters and include reference about the MWS. The roles are broadly defined in the document Manual on safe towage (Rukovodstvo po bezopasnoy buksirovke). During passage on several occasions the Master and Ch/off of the rig (keeping respectively day and night shift watches) gave instructions to tugs about reducing the BP reportedly to avoid slamming without consulting the Tow Master ( In most cases this was not justified by the apparent weather). It appears the AMNGR personnel on Kolskaya was not informed about implications on insurance cover when proceeding without CoA. The matter was clarified via personal contacts built up during this year attendances. In order to avoid misunderstandings in future the Documentation must include paragraph stating that the towage will start upon issuance of the CoA by the MWS. 2. Tugs and towing equipment 2.1 AMNGR reportedly plan to use two Neftegaz type tugs (Neftegaz 55 and Tumcha) for the towage to Vung Tau, Vietnam. Tug “Neftegaz 55” has on board BP certificate for continuous BP of 82 tonnes. In waves of about 3-3.5 m max height tug was able to deliver maximum 50 tonnes. Considering the Tumcha will be in similar condition the total BP available for bad weather will be about 100 tonnes. 2.2 The wire pennant rigged on starboard towing line of Kolskaya was 13.3m long. During hook up tug “Neftegaz 55” had to stay too close to the rig due to available length of pennant. It is strongly recommended to use longer pennants with length of minimum 30m. The pennants on “Neftegaz 55” were not usable being condemned due to their poor condition. The matter was discussed with Capt. Mikhail Tersin and pennants should be provided for next towage. 3. Detailed passage plan with shelters en route to be prepared 3.1 The area of this towage was essentially without any shelters between Kamchatka and Sakhalin (As per Okhotsk Sea Pilot book the area around Kuril Islands does not provide shelter due to strong currents and higher percentage of storm winds). Therefore passage plan was amended to proceed in roughly Westerly direction to reach Sakhalin Island soonest within good weather forecast span and in case of worsening weather to sail to North against dominant winds until reaching vicinity of pack ice. 3.2 The AMNGR Tow Master had initially advised the “Kolskaya” is to proceed to Port of Korsakov (and CoA was amended accordingly). During passage AMNGR changed destination to Bukhta Morzh (in Aniva Bay about 40 nm SW from Korsakov), than to Bukhta Ziryanova (about 10 nm S from Port of Kholmsk). Changes do happen, but they show the planning was not completed before the start of the towage. 3.3 The towage route to Vung Tau passes zones with frequent stormy weather. Due to roll/pitch limitation of 6 degrees this will be weather restricted operation. The High confidence weather forecast usually covers 72 hours period and shelters shall be defined along route at about 3 days passage distances. Having in mind different jurisdictions en route preliminary approval must be available for the jack-up to soft pin at designated shelters. 3.4 The towage is planned with two “Neftegaz” type tugs with BP 82 tonnes. Actual BP capability in bad weather was noted at about 50 tonnes. Bunkering and supplies of the rig and tugs will be required as a minimum once during the passage. Without escort tug this will involve unhooking one of the tugs in order to proceed for supplies with consequent reduction of available BP. The supply operations have to be planned in an area close to shelter having in mind the BP of one tug only and time required to reach shelter. 4. Weather routing / weather forecast services 4.1 The weather forecasting service of SakhMeteo failed to impress. The forecast does not define changes of the weather in the course of the day and tends to exaggerate wind speed. We relied mostly on weather fax information from Japan Meteo. More reliable weather service shall be sought. 4.2 Contracting weather routing service must be considered. Best regards, Zhivko