Aker H-3 Drilling Rigs

[ombugge]

Anybody here with memories from working on, or with, Aker H-3 type rigs anywhere in the world?
Here are two of the earliest of the type:

This is truly a photo of a historic event. The first two H-3 platforms “Deep Sea Driller” and “Norjarl” are at BMV Department Laksevåg for outfitting and completion. The year is 1974. The crane that was so important for BMV to be able to undertake the work was put in place the year before.
The Aker H-3 is one of the most successful designs of a semi-submersible platform, and before the first platform was delivered, 26 had already been ordered.
An important contribution to the design was made by the company Odfjell Drilling & Consulting company (ODCC). The first rig built was for the company, and it was precisely the “Deep Sea Driller”.
Facts from Statistics Norway and Norges Bank show that precisely during this period, “oil” became the new flagship of the Norwegian economy. Export income as a share of GDP is rising enormously, and this is happening at a time when the former greatness of shipping is almost disappearing. The development of the oil industry is crucial for the development of welfare in Norway.

Source: [Erik Bertelsen] posted to Bergen in the past

“Deep Sea Driller” was the first Norwegian offshore drilling rig to have a major accident, in 1976:

elf DeepSea Driller Shipwreck — ALQUER BCRSS-3D™

She was repaired and became the “Byford Dolphin” in 1978. Went on to feature in several more accidents, until scrapped in 2019: Byford Dolphin - Wikipedia

The “Norjarl” became “Ocean Liberator” in 1982, after a takeover by ODECO and “Blackford Dolphin” in 2005.
Still in operation, now in the Bay of Bengal, offshore India:

Dolphin Drilling’s Blackford Dolphin Secures More Work for Oil India

Massive BlackFord Dolphin Oil Rig Arrives in Port Blair, Tugged by ALP Sweeper

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