Operations suspended after chain falls near workers on N.S. offshore drill rig

Operations of some non-producing wells at the Sable Offshore Energy Project have been suspended after an accident on a drilling rig involved in decommissioning wells off Nova Scotia.

A news release Thursday from the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Board reported a near miss on Nov. 5 after a chain dropped on the Noble Regina Allen rig.

READ MORE: BP Canada gets green light to restart drilling off Nova Scotia coast after spill

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The safety officer with the regulator confirmed that a 15-metre chain, along with a swivel and shackle with a combined weight of 225 pounds, fell to the deck in the derrick area.

There were five workers in the area at the time, but no one was injured.

The board says work was immediately stopped and a safety “stand down” was held with all involved personnel.

READ MORE: Spill of 136,000 litres of drilling mud reported off Nova Scotia coast

A spokeswoman for the regulator said it was not known when the Noble Regina Allen would resume normal operations on the Venture well decommissioning.