North America’s Largest Land Drilling Rig, Doyon 26, Overturns and Ignites on North Slope
The Doyon 26, North America’s largest mobile land drilling rig, overturned and ignited on the North Slope of Alaska on Friday afternoon. The incident transpired near Alpine, approximately eight miles north of Nuiqsut. Weighing nearly 10 million pounds, the Doyon 26 is operated by ConocoPhillips.
Incident Details
On Friday at around 4:45 PM, Doyon 26 experienced an incident while being moved on a gravel road. Although there was a fire, it was quickly contained and controlled. Fortunately, all personnel on board have been accounted for, with no serious injuries reported.
Emergency Response
- Emergency responders remain on the scene.
- No damage occurred to local infrastructure.
- There was no impact on pipelines or fuel transportation.
Background on Doyon 26
Doyon 26 has made headlines in the past for its significant achievements, including setting a long-distance drilling record in Alaska. It played a crucial role in unlocking oil from a new section of the western North Slope oil fields.
Cause of the Overturn
Experts suggest that the rig’s tipping was likely due to the warm 30-degree weather, which made the road softer. This condition caused the rig to deviate from the road’s shoulder, resulting in an inevitable overturn.
Impact on Drilling Operations
While it remains uncertain, this incident is expected to affect the ongoing winter drilling season. The rig was in the process of being relocated for drilling activities when the incident occurred.
Authorities and ConocoPhillips will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available.
