On 26 November 1981, Ocean Ranger commenced drilling well J-34, its third well in the . Ocean Ranger was still working on this well in February 1982 when the incident occurred. Two other platforms were also drilling nearby: Sedco 706, 8.5 miles (13.7 km) NNE, and Ugland, 19.2 miles (30.9 km) N of Ocean Ranger. On 14 February 1982, the platforms received reports of an approaching storm linked to a major hurricane.
[pdf] Drilled shafts are high-capacity deep foundation systems, also known as drilled piers, caissons, bored piles, or cast-in-drilled-hole piles (CIDH). Drilled shafts for structural support can be installed by the dry (open hole), stabilizing polymer slurry, or steel-cased methods.
[pdf] • : The said it was monitoring events in Vietnam closely, and urged restraint from all parties. Secretary of State , who is also a former , said the United States is "deeply concerned" that China has placed an oil rig in an area of the South China Sea also claimed by Vietnam, adding that the move was "provocative" and "aggressive".
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