Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2010/04/30
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Luggers who have been paying attention to the news are aware of the tragedy of the Transocean drilling rig Deepwater Horizon in the Gulf of Mexico. The rig exploded, burned, and eventually sank in several thousand feet of water. The leaking oil will probably cause an environmental catastrophe on the Gulf shoreline. Fortunately of the 126 crew aboard, only 11 were lost. This tragedy was of personal relevance to me. From 1975 through the mid 80s I served as a consultant to the offshore oil industry and spent considerable time aboard drill rigs both in the Gulf and in the North Sea. All of us were aware of the constant risk of fire and explosion although we tried to put it out of our minds. Modern offshore oil drilling rigs are enormous structures with decks twice the size of a football field. They come in four types; platform rigs which are perched on towers and anchored to the bottom; jackup rigs which are large floating barges, towed into position and then raised up to drilling position by huge jacks; semi submersibles which are floating structures towed into position, partially filled with water, and held in place by anchors; and drill ships which are primarily used for deep water exploration. The Transocean rig was one of the world's largest semi submersibles. Despite the size and high technology, the rigs only exist to let a team of rugged men operate drilling equipment similar to that used on land. The rigs operate day and night. Each of two shifts works a backbreaking, labor intensive, 12 hour a day job. Most drill crews work for two weeks straight then are airlifted back to shore while another crew takes their place. The drill crews need support and maintenance personnel, cooks, crane operators, etc. so a compliment of 100 or so persons on a modern rig is the norm. Looking through my files, I uncovered some pictures I took in 1979 on the Cognac rig in the Gulf of Mexico. It is the world's largest platform drill rig, perched on a tower 1025 feet tall over the Cognac oil field. I was not there to take pictures so the photos are mostly grab shots taken with a Rollei 35 on a grey, overcast day. Unspotted. Be charitable. http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/_quot_Tripping_quot_+the+drill+pipe+1.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/_quot_Tripping_quot_+the+drill+pipe+2.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/_quot_Tripping_quot_+the+drill+pipe+3.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/The+derrickman.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Inside+of+derrick.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Derrick+structure.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Elevated+deck+area.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Loading+crane.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Larry+Z+as+crane+operator.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Rescue+capsule.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/Discussion+with+the+boss.jpg.html http://gallery.leica-users.org/v/Larry+Z/The+valve+room.jpg.html Larry Z