The environment and safety watchdog has previously identified "deficiencies" and risks at the Maersk Deliverer which is drilling infill wells at the Ichthys field offshore Northern Australia. 

Just last year, several large pipes (risers) weighing 23-tonnes each fell onto the drill floor and then overboard while being lowered into place. It was one of the most serious near-misses of the year. 

Then, October this year during an inspection, the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority found a number of problems with work practices and lifting operations and issued the company with an improvement notice. 

A month later, on November 17, during lifting operations a steel cable being lifted by a crane fell to the deck. 

NOPSEMA has now issued rig operator - Noble Drilling - two ‘general directions'. 

The rig will be allowed to continue operating, however it will be subject to several safety measures. 

Noble has been ordered to implement new risk control measures and hire a third-party to conduct an independent investigation into the latest incident. 

There will also need to be an independent review into all lifting practices, namely crane operations, onboard the Maersk Deliverer. 

Management at Noble will also need to write to NOPSEMA every week to document their risk control measures during lifting.