The drilling rig COSL Prospector is in position off the Otago coast, and recent wild weather will not get in the way of its operation in southern waters, oil giant OMV says. Despite the area being battered by high winds and heavy swells in recent days, OMV spokeswoman Tahlia Rangiwananga said the rig was capable of coping with stormy seas. ‘‘The rig was specifically designed to handle extreme weather conditions, so there is almost no impact for personnel and the rig itself,’’ she said yesterday. The rig had travelled down the West Coast in recent days and rounded Stewart Island on Friday, heading towards its Great South Basin site. Ms Rangiwananga confirmed the rig was yet to begin drilling, having indicated on Friday preparations could take days or weeks.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 07, 2020 15:32 UTC