The last rig leaves the Firth
The Essar Wildcat (ex Transocean Wildcat) is towed out between the Sutors as it starts a 90 day journey to Kakinada India. Due to the height of the derrick, the Suez Canal cannot be used, so it will go the long round, via the Cape. She is being towed by the Fairmount Sherpa, who steamed to the Cromarty Firth from Dubai, and the combination will travel at an average speed of 8 knots, all the way back again.
Essar paid $220M for this 30 year old rig, which has been cold stacked in the Firth since the late 90's.
So apart from the Galaxy Jackup alongside the service base at Invergordon, which is due to go out in the next few weeks, the Firth is empty.
Albums: Oil Industry, The Sea
3 Comments
what a fantastic shot, great clarity.
Comment left on 07 March 2007 at 23:20 by Ronald Young
It's not quite left yet. I drove to Inverness tonight and saw it between the Sutors and Nairn, half submerged. I guess they are testing the ballast tanks before the tow.
Comment left on 08 March 2007 at 20:09 by Calum Davidson
Chatting with a colleague in the office today, I learnt that the the Essar Wildcat was valued at $8M dollars (£5M) when sitting in the Firth a view years ago - her scrap value - and she was sold for $220!
Comment left on 16 March 2007 at 19:36 by Calum Davidson
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