Indian Navy holds security drill on offshore oil rigs

The Indian Navy has organized a two-day security drill on offshore oil rigs in the Krishna Godavari Basin to practice the service’s response to possible emergencies. 

The exercise that concluded November 2 saw navy personnel responding to terrorist action, oil spills, casualty evacuation and fire.

Code-named Prasthan, the exercise was aimed to evaluate surveillance capabilities of offshore rigs against unaltered intruders approaching by boat or swimming and to evaluate capabilities of security agencies in patrolling to prevent intruders from accessing offshore rigs.

The exercise also prepared all agencies in handling a crisis situation developing in the offshore development area, the Indian Navy said.

Indian Coast Guard, ONGC, Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (GSPC), Reliance Industries and Cairn Energy were among the entities involved in the exercise.

In addition, Indian naval ships Kora, Tarmugli, Astradharini, four immediate support vessels, one Indian Coast Guard IPV/IB, one UH3H helicopter and marine commandos joined the drill.