LONGEST ROUTE THE CHEAPEST

Press, Volume CX, Issue 32382, 22 August 1970, Page 44

LONGEST ROUTE THE CHEAPEST

(N.Z. Press Association • WELLINGTON, August 21. On completion of the Cook 1 well in the Taranaki Bight the Sedco rig would be towed via the North Cape and down the east coast of New Zealand to Its next location off Oamaru to drill Endeavour 1, the chairman of the BP-Shell-Todd Consortium (Mr A. H. Harran) said today. The positioning of the rig off Oamaru might cost as much as §lm, said Mr Barran. Experts here and in London had considered carefully the alternative routes for moving the rig and had decided that the long tow round the North Cape and down the more sheltered waters off the east coast of New Zealand was the safest and most economical way.

If the shorter Cook Strait passage were used additional tugs would be needed, including one or more from overseas. It also would be necessary to lighten the rig by removing the anchors and chains, which weigh more than 1000 tons, in order to increase manoeuvrability and decrease the draft This work would cause appreciable delay. The considerable weather and tidal difficulties in the passage through the strait also helped lead to the decision to go the long way round. It was estimated that the tow would take 35 days, but the time would depend on weather conditions. "On this occasion,” said Mr Barran, “it seems that the longest way round is the cheapest.”