The platform was carrying out exploratory drilling in search of natural gas in the North Sea.
Omrop Fryslân reports that Hansa Hydrogencarbons, a British energy company, began conducting exploratory drilling in the area north of the Frisian Wadden island three months ago after detecting a large underwater natural gas field.
The permit for the exploratory drilling was eventually taken over by Oranje-Nassau Energie. The presence of gas in the area has now been confirmed, but it remains to be seen exactly how much is there.
When the drilling platform was originally towed to the area on 15 February, environmental activism group Greenpeace hung up a banner on the platform to protest the exploration. Nine people were arrested for involvement with the protest. The Groninger Internet Courant reported at the time that Greenpeace was concerned about the consequences of the drilling and the speed of the negotiations to move forward with exploration.