Oil Rig Explosion

[vol_in_ar]

thanks orangetoes for all your work trying to stop the spill

 

[Velo Vol]

The Lower Riser Assembly cut now spewing oil.

 

[Orangetoes]

Ok, it should take us another hour or so to make the complete cut. There are hydrates forming on the saw around the clamps and on the hoses - but, they shouldn't be a problem.

Long.... long... long day....

 

[TennTradition]

Ok, it should take us another hour or so to make the complete cut. There are hydrates forming on the saw around the clamps and on the hoses - but, they shouldn't be a problem.

Long.... long... long day....

I bet! Good luck finishing up.

 

[overseasorange2]

Ok, it should take us another hour or so to make the complete cut. There are hydrates forming on the saw around the clamps and on the hoses - but, they shouldn't be a problem.

Long.... long... long day....

Just curious, but living in Knoxville, do you currently work for an oil company? That would be my dream job and location.:hi:

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

Saw blade got stuck... BP loses another $5 Billion in Market cap, (I kid)

 

[IPorange]

Just curious, but living in Knoxville, do you currently work for an oil company? That would be my dream job and location.:hi:

Ya, he does. He said something about it earlier in this thread.

 

[Velo Vol]

I read that some of those saw blades cost $100,000.

 

[droski]

Saw blade got stuck... BP loses another $5 Billion in Market cap, (I kid)

some people are calling for obama to nationalize bp. the hits to the market cap will keep on coming.

 

[IPorange]

some people are calling for obama to nationalize bp. the hits to the market cap will keep on coming.

How do you nationalize a multinational?

 

[Velo Vol]

Might BP become an acquisition target?

 

[droski]

How do you nationalize a multinational?

Robert Reich (Putting BP Under Temporary Receivership: Some Qs and As)

according to reich it's doable because they have regulatory authority.

 

[droski]

Might BP become an acquisition target?

i doubt BP would sell unless they were forced to do so. interestingly exxon's stock really didn't drop much during the exxon valdez situation.

 

[VolsNSkinsFan]

they are saying this spill could cost them up to $40 billion

 

[IPorange]

they are saying this spill could cost them up to $40 billion

It kills me to hear that it may circulate up the East coast and affect even the Carolinas. I think if that happens, we are going beyond monetary reckoning.

 

[droski]

they are saying this spill could cost them up to $40 billion

sounds about right. they can afford that though. but not because of their market cap as obama's idiot people are saying.

 

[DC Vol]

Something interesting:

If the oil spill was on land centered in Knoxville (just in terms of gross acerage consumed) it would reach as far West as Nashville, as far South as Chattanooga, East to Johnson City and halfway to Louisville.

Not a political statement, just giving a scale reference.

 

[Daddy Gee]

what are the odds that BP doesn't survive this ... the lawsuits will be endless ..

 

[IPorange]

what are the odds that BP doesn't survive this ... the lawsuits will be endless ..

They'll survive this.

 

[DC Vol]

They'll survive this.

The franchise owners will probably be hardest hit by this.

 

[overseasorange2]

There will be allot of oil jobs lost due to this. Can they sue BP too?

 

[Daddy Gee]

what about other companies drilling in the gulf? will they be spooked by what might happen to them?

 

[droski]

what about other companies drilling in the gulf? will they be spooked by what might happen to them?

they'll do it as long as the feds let them. a lot of these rig companies have multi year contracts with the major oil companies. should be interesting to see if they can void these contracts if the feds ban further drilling

 

[Orangetoes]

Ok.... the diamond wire got stuck in the cut. We spent several hours trying to work it free or get it restarted. Those efforst included, at one point, reattaching the shears to the cut end of the pipe so we could readjust the sling angle on our A&R winch.

About 1/2 hour ago, the decision was made to cut the diamond wire blade and recover it, along with the shears, to surface. We'll replace the diamond blade and also configure the shears for a horizontal cut. Then, we'll send the shears back down and cut the riser right below the kink to get all that extra weight off the pipe.

Ultimately, we need a really clean cut on the riser because the latest version of the top hat is designed to actually seal on the riser so we can contain 100% of the flow. So, after the shear cut is complete - we'll come back with the diamond wire and clean cut it.

When I get time - I'll read through and reply to any questions that I don't have time to do now.

 

[Orangetoes]

they'll do it as long as the feds let them. a lot of these rig companies have multi year contracts with the major oil companies. should be interesting to see if they can void these contracts if the feds ban further drilling

I will take the time to reply to this since it posted right above mine....

Most oil companies, their contractors, and all sub-contractors have Force Majeure clauses in their contracts. Basically, it gives the oil companies the right to suspend or cancel a contract without breach because of a "greater power." Mostly used for Acts of God (hurricanes, etc), war, or -in this instance - federal intervention to stop all drilling.

I wouldn't think the majors would want to cancel any long-term contracts - but, I also can't see them paying 150 men per rig/per day for 180 days while the feds say they can't drill. Sub-contractors began sending people home on Monday because drilling is stopped already. Expect May and June unemployment numbers for the southern states to sky-rocket.