Hull number SEDCO702 on long term lease to Shell and named Stadrill. Crewed by Shell Drill Crew. Was sold I think in or around 1988 to a private company.
Picture added on 07 April 2008
Comments:
It became the West Stadrill owend by Smedvig. It.s still worked for Shell though.
Added by Dai on 12 April 2008.
When this rig was taken over by Smedvig from Shell I was tasked to carry out an inspection of the electrical equipment, reporting back to Smedvig Management in Aberdeen. I found the status of the equipment to be in a shocking and unsafe condition. My report was rejected by Smedvig and I was subsequently assigned to the West Stadrill as a Senior electrician. I was extremely concerned about the safety of the rig and raised these concerns with both offshore and onshore management. I raised my concerns through both safety meetings and several meetings with management in Aberdeen where I was accused of being a trouble maker and exaggeration. Having met this brick wall I was forced to raise these concerns with the D.O.E. To their credit they guarenteed my anonimity and promised to investigate. Following their inspections of the West Stadrill it became the first and I believe the only M.O.D.U to be completely shut down on the North Sea for breaches of safety regulations.
There was wide national newspaper comment and a question was asked in Commons. I was of course transferred to the N.W. Hutton where I continued to work for Smedvig for a further 5 years - they knew it was me but couldn't prove it. Happily neither the West Stadill or Smedvig are present in the British sector of the North Sea today.
I worked on the Stadrill for 3 years after the Smedvig takeover. I also found some safety issues but over time, these issues were sorted out. One thing that I spotted while working on the rig floor was a couple of 1 metre long cracks in the welds at the base of one of the derricks legs.
What a happy place it was to work. I was on Stadrill for 8 years from 1980 to 1988 as Radio Operator. I was moved off when Smedvigs took over and was assigned to Tern Alpha. Even after 14 years on Tern, I still missed A8YY. I remember Cookie very well, but I'm not sure if he has the number right. As far as I can remember, it was the Sedco 705 hull. Shell bought it on the stocks whilst it was been built in Halifax (Nova Scotia) and its registered owners was the "Stadrill Trust Company Number 1".
I have some pictures of her from her last visit to Peterhead about 1984/5 (we moved to Invergordon for refit after that). If I can get them scanned in, I will post on here. All the best to any of the old lags that look on here and reminisce about the old days.
I had a brilliant time on the Stadrill around 84-87 me thinks, was probley stoned most of the time lol, some of the best years of my life where I met Brian Donald (Rocky) became very good freinds, rest in peace my friend. Now a tubing & casing inspector / supervisor still living in Aberdeen. Anyhow take care guys.
Added by Chris Gibson (Psycho) on 15 July 2010.
I was Radio Op on the West Stadrill from Aug 88 when Smedvig took her over till she went of to the far east in 1993. Had a very enjoyable 5 years there, mostly up on the Cormorant UMC. A great bunch of guys to work with.
My name is Iain Barnes, The Stadrill was the first and best rig I was on in 1979. I was on night shift with Charlie Bridge, who I was living with and his family. I have a few photos of the Stadrill. The chief steward was Peter Rose from Peterborough, camp bosses were Dave Allum, Paul Stone, Scot Hamilton and there was a wee fat bloke with a cockney accent, can't remember his name, but what a brilliant rig. Enjoyed it when she moved and going to Peterhead. Everybody was great to work for. Where is the Stadrill now, anybody know?
I worked on the Stadrill from 1988 till she lost the contact with Shell, I worked for a slickline company called OTIS at the time, (now Halliburton). What a brilliant place to work, if I can remember correctly there was a driller from Arbroath called Stretch, Mince Bill (his proper name was Harold) the camp boss. The old girl is been upgraded again sometime in the mid 90's with iceberg deflectors, she is now afloat somewhere off Singapore.
I was on the previous Shell rig called the Staflo -I then transferred to the Stadrill with the rest of the drill crews. I remained with the rig till the dark days of Dan Smedvig. I was going to stay for 6 months transition. However after a few months of a comedy of errors, I left before I murdered somebody.
Worked as Toolpusher on the pile of s***, remember the cracks in the derrick leg. Also the time 3 ruckers parted within a couple of hours cause forgot to slip and cut. And then the day the incompetant Dutch rig super dropped the BOP 8 hrs after being told it would fall off when pulling.
Added by Jeff on 07 February 2011.
Okey Jeff
What year are you talking about ? Was it with uncle Dan Smedvig or Joe Shell .
Hey Chris. I remember you. Your last trip sticks in my mind most because I had a good laugh watching you being chased by Alec Ogden all over the rig. Lol. Some names that are still remembered include. Mike Stewart, Stan the man, Bruce ? Fraser ? Oh Jeff, that was funny, yeah I remember coming out on shift to find out that the Stack had made It`s own way down to the sea bed for a lie down. The ruckers going, stuck in my mind long enough to alert me on the Neddrill 6 , floorman/subsea trainee. I was sussing stuff out below the rig floor and noticed a couple of slip and cuts were in order. Rig manager was quite thankful I told him about them, unlike the lazy Dutch subsea engineer.
Pysco hows it going, I think I remember your last trip sliding down the V door and the company man going bananas at the pusher for letting. I joined the Stadrill around Feb 88/ 91 and was the first rig for me. I Worked with Brian Park (Crane Op) and also alongside Psyco, cool hand luke, Dave Smith and Dave Smith from lossie, Ron McKay , Steve Shay, Rocky, Dykes (Crane op) and a many more. Probably the best rig I worked on for the crack and good bunch of boys. I'm still in the North Sea as Deck Foreman on a Production unit.
I was campboss on the Stadrill for eight years with a company called CCG. One of the best rigs I ever worked on, all Shell drill crew and r/os Dave Swan, Dennis Broadbridge and Mike ?, R/Pusher Dykes Wedderburn, crane/ops Bertie Reid passed away now and Allan Ferguson all great guys.
I must admit too that the Stadrill was probably the best rig I worked on too. I have never had a greater bunch of lads to work with. I may not have showed it at the time though. Mike Stewart ??? Has anyone heard where he is these days? I`d like to get in touch with him.
Davie Smith from Lossie here. I agree wholeheartly with you boys - I am still offshore and the Stadrill / Staflo stand out as two of the best offshore installations I have been on. We did the work without the bullshit. All the best boys.
I noticed this today and has brought back too many good memories. I was on the Stadrill 1985 until 89 through the Smedvik era and eventually chased by Ogston (wanker) I ruffnecked with Steve Shay and was on shift the day the incompetent dutch pusher (Kluas ?) hadn't latched the upper package correctly and decided to pull the whole stack until it came to the splash zone. Phsyco I can relate to being stoned most of the time with Rocky for sure. Some laughs and mostly nonsense on the rig but we still got through it. I never forget the water fights with Dykes and Berty.
Aricht Davie? Kevin Mackay here, still married to Ronnie Kelmans daughter. Had a lot of happy times on Stadrill during Shell years, left after Koos dropped the stack, useless twat. Still offshore but Stadrill still remains my best job.
I remeber it too and I had the best 3 years of my offshore career there. I have videos of a lot of the guys on that rig now converted to MPG if any of you want them. I have pics too. I am now working and living in Perth, Australia as a directional driller for Halliburton.
Hi Davie Smith fit like? I moved to the West Coast of the USA when Smedvik took over the rig in '88 , having served on Staflo and Stadrill. Happy days!!!
Hi Johnny Am fine glad to hear you. You always said you liked that part of the world. If you read this mail - can you tell me what Ronnie's end name was - I think he was your back-to-back.
Hi Johnny do you rember when I used to sit round in the control room with you on nights and we used to talk about about black John?
Added by Scott Diplexcito on 04 June 2011.
Hi Davie His name was Ronnie Macgregor my back to back was Jim Leese. Did you say you were still offshore.?? Must be a pusher by now.!! By the way Ronnie passed away some time ago. I met Hughie Mcnaughton a couple of years ago at the Treetops Hotel and he kinda brought me up to scratch.He told me that Ronnie Mac, tool pusher Ronnie from Strichen, Harry the storeman, the toolie from around Inverness had all passed on. I live in Idaho now and like it fine. I think I'll be home this year sometime will call Hughie for a beer and some news. He's the only one I have a number for. Do you still live up Nairn way? You still work for Shell?
Hi Johnny Aye a few boys have passed in the last five years or so . I still keep in touch with Grigor McKay and John Bruce . Dougie Sedge passed over last year and auld Bill Lamont a whilie before that . Remember John Geddes he s still in the land o the liven---and still taking a dram or twa . I live in the Black Isle now ---top of a hill ( remote )but its good . I work for my mate in his company --its called Total Reclaim Systems . I still do a lot of hill climbing , although I fell off a cliff ten years ago and near wasted myself ! I would fine like to see you again if you get anywhere near the north ---phone No:- 01381 600889
Hi Dave I, ll be up your way about the end of September and will surely give you a call. I don, t know where all the time has gone but it just seems unfair that the years just flash by. I still fly and flew professionally for about ten years in the US. So what happened to all the guys who elected to stay with Shell. Were they moved onto platforms .?? I can, t believe I have lived in the US for twenty years now almost as long as I worked for shell. All the best for now Davies.
Hi Gents; here we are! Nearly 30 years later and still having good memories of the Stadrill. Stadrill was my (Dutch cloggie :-) first rig ever and worked as a trainee/assy-driller from '82-'84 above the UMC. As far as I can remember it was the Sedco 705.
Added by Roland van Doorne on 09 November 2011.
The rig Stadrill is in the shipyard in Shenzhen, China now. The name has changed to Nanhai Tiaozhan. I'm an engineer of the rig repairing.
Added by Dai on 12 April 2008.