Watch the BP Cam! Thread #12

[gateley]

Link to Thread # 11: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8470415&mesg_id=8472457

The DU Under Sea BP ROV Club keeps on keepin' on, taking inspiration from our ROV buddies and the camera and ROV operators who are giving it their all! :patriot:

Special thanks to NYC_SKP, jaxx, Subdivisions (Club Commandant), Junkdrawer, flamingdem, Statistical, HughMoran, Feran and others too numerous to mention for all your help and support. You know who you are! :loveya:

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

WKRG Video Stream: http://www.livestream.com/wkrg_oil_spill

ABC Video Stream: http://abcnews.go.com/video/video?id=6105570

Akamai Link: http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:46245.asx

Fox Feed: http://interactive.foxnews.com/livestream/live.html?cha...

CNN Feed: http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=str...

Explanatory video (MUST SEE!): http://bp.concerts.com/gom/kentwellstechupdatelong053110.htm

Link to latest Oil Drum thread and other links from Professor Goose: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8469797&mesg_id=8469797

Subsea Response Links (great to view when there's downtime):http://dl.dropbox.com/u/1073257/Files%20Shared%20from%20GNOME%20Do/bp-1213153300.html

Great forum with lots of pics and video if you need to catch up: http://www.doomers.us/forum2/index.php/topic,68178.4545...

The Oil Drum IRC Chat Room:

Server: Freenode
Channel: #theoildrum

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Please let me know which links I've screwed up! :7 :hi:

Here's hoping for the best! :grouphug:

[Junkdrawer]

1. BP is going to do something right in one of these threads....

you just watch! 12s a charm...

[gateley]

2. My first post didn't post so I had to cut and paste - several of the links aren't

working so I'm trying to fix 'em. Hang tight!

[tiptoe]

4. "Petroleum engineer weighs in on what BP isn't doing -- Salon" - x

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8468998&mesg_id=8468998

[gateley]

7. The former President of Shell is big on the tanker siphoning, too. Makes sense

to me -- although he DID acknowledge that the logistics of getting them there aren't simple. I think part of this plan is to divert the flow to tankers, but I haven't heard any word on siphoning.

Also, I believe the work on relief well #2 has resumed.

As for stop using dispersants, WE all know that should be done, I don't know why they allow them to be used. The EPA ordered BP to use a different dispersant and they were blown off. What can we do? Already BP's lawyers are making noises that if the workers are getting sick it's the fed government's responsibility as well as BP's - there's a fine line between what we do and them being able to wash their hands of their responsibility, I think. :grr:

[jaxx]

10. I just read a thread about BP sharing the blame with the US.

They need to stick to closing the well and not acting like idiots.

[gateley]

13. Every move is motivated by money. If they weren't being charged for polluting

the gulf, and weren't liable, I have no doubt they'd be sailing away "we're SO sorry - we'll be more careful next time".

They are despicable.

[jaxx]

3. Looks good.

It's this waiting that gets to you. I like the do do do do do do better. LOL

[gateley]

8. Agree - I see any little movement and my heart leaps! nt

[Feron]

5. Dispersant ops feed

mms://a662.l9789246661.c97892.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/662/97892/v0001/reflector:49182

[Feron]

11. And yet another feed...

http://a662.l9789246661.c97892.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/662/97892/v0001/reflector:44838

I wish I had dual monitors. My desktop is crowded!

[gateley]

16. I know! I was fantasizing having a big wall of screens, kind of like Wolf Blitzer! nt

[Junkdrawer]

6. Waiting for the return of Clamps...

....

The technician said that rather than trying again with the saw, the plan now was to use a large shear to cut the riser. The shear, which is about 20 feet long and nearly 10 feet high, was used to make an earlier cut in the riser about 50 feet from the wellhead.

Because the shear will not make as clean a cut as the wire saw, modifications would have to be made to the containment cap that is to be lowered over the cut pipe. But the technician said that even with the switch to the shear and the modifications, he expected the containment cap could be in place by Thursday.

...
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/03/us/03spill.html?hp

[gateley]

9. And weighs 46 THOUSAND pounds! I just love saying that, it boggles my mind! nt

[Junkdrawer]

12. The Doomers are perplexed by the Tampons-on-a-string...

http://www.doomers.us/forum2/index.php?PHPSESSID=efd203af058080fca7e61c6847dbfabf&topic=68178.4605

Laugh if you will, but those things will plug ANY pipe/drain....

[Cleita]

14. I still don't have my bandwidth back so thanks for keeping these posts going!

:hi:

[gateley]

15. Check out the links we got from Feran --

the Subsea Response and the doomers. There's stuff on there that might be helpful, too. And when you get your bandwith back, check out the whale videos on teh Subsea Response link. Very cool! :hi:

How much longer? It sure SEEMS like it's been 24 hours!

[Cleita]

17. It's been more than 24 hours. I must have really topped my threshold.

:-( I'm still looking for another ISP. If the WiFi works out I'm out of this one.

[gateley]

18. You've got airport, right? Can you go to a cafe or bar w/WiFi? nt

[Cleita]

20. No I don't. I have an alternative thing that works with my satellite and iMAC.

For some reason I can't do airport with the set up I have. The Mac people explained it to me, but it went over my head. :dunce:

[gateley]

21. Sorry I brought it up. :( Well, we'll keep you posted! Hang in there! nt

[Cleita]

52. I'm out of jail. I got my bandwidth back!

Now I have to go look for that whale video.

[gateley]

80. Woo Hoo! And perfect time to check out those threads since we seem to be in a stall. nt

[jaxx]

19. You aren't missing anything right now.

Whatever is happening must be going on uptop. Patience is not my virtue!

[NYC_SKP]

22. wassup?

:shrug:

[jaxx]

24. Nothing.

Just waiting.

[blue sky at night]

23. thanks.......

for the HEADS UP...wow, that is a lot of feeds........

[NYC_SKP]

25. Oh, gateley....

The Fox Feed--

It's the Glenn Beck Show now...

:rofl:

:hi:

[gateley]

34. Shhhhh - I'm watching it! nt

[flamingdem]

26. Wow it took detective work to find #12!

Where'd everybody go?

[gateley]

36. Damn - is the link on Thread 11 not working?

[flamingdem]

38. I think it does, can't remember how I arrived exactly nt

[gateley]

40. Okay, just glad you got here! nt

[Subdivisions]

45. I had to tear my ass away from the drama to run some errands. I'm here

settling in for tonight's action! Good luck to the robot operators!

[jaxx]

27. I see oil again........is it about to restart something?

Will they cut the riser with Jaws?

[jaxx]

28. Can someone tell us what that piece of stuff is?

[NYC_SKP]

29. Which feed, jaxx?

I'm gettin' nothing but blank and the Glenn Beck show on the Fox feed.

[jaxx]

30. BP

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/homepage/STAGING/local_assets/bp_homepage/html/rov_stream.html#

[jaxx]

31. They showed one shot with a thin line running to what looked like the floor.

I don't know. Also looked like another saw...not the diamond one....but I could very easily be wrong.

[gateley]

35. Please try to tear yourself away from Glenn and help us out here! nt

[jaxx]

37. No kidding.

I'd like to know what's going on. C'mon fellas.

[NYC_SKP]

42. I just knew this would happen...

I go to this meeting, have laptop even. The school wireless blocks anything streaming.

So I pulled out my wireless card... Never got a full feed.

A couple hours at my parents, then home.

And what do I find?

A cryptic blind link to this thread and Glenn Beck on one feed, nothing on the others!

:rofl:

Can't I leave you guys alone for a couple hours?

:hi:

PS, it was funny to come home and hear this sort of familiar voice... left the iMac on but had gone to screensaver, there's Beck's creepy voice shoutin' back at me!

So, it appears that not a fucking think is going on down there.

I am NOT amused!

This is a 24 hour danged deal, or it should be!

I'm gonna make some calls!

:nuke:

[HughMoran]

32. I'm bored

I heard they had started sawing again - was that wrong reporting?

[jaxx]

33. They're doing something.

check it out...and a different piece of equipment/stuff

[gateley]

39. You know, it didn't take all that long to un-stick the saw. It took me by surprise

when I saw the headline on cnn.com (I of course missed it 'live'). I'm so pleased it wasn't worse.

[Subdivisions]

41. Checking back in! Been out takin' care of bidness. What'd I miss? n/t

[jaxx]

43. Do you know what they are doing?

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/homepage/STAGING/local_assets/bp_homepage/html/rov_stream.html#

[Subdivisions]

47. Looks like he's at the tool crib that's sitting on the bottom messing around while

they wait or perhaps prepping for a coming operation.

[gateley]

50. Measure twice...

[jaxx]

51. Ok that makes sense.

[NYC_SKP]

44. Apparently not much. Check the WKRG feed, has four screens at this moment.

http://www.livestream.com/wkrg_oil_spill

Just got back myself.

[jaxx]

46. that thing in the claw was pulled out of whatever it is....different haven't seen it before

and it looks like this is on the floor...not the usual water

[jaxx]

48. there's a shot of the long thing....and it goes in and out...they did it once

lol for real

[NYC_SKP]

59. Your subject line is sexually suggestive...

...

Are you sure you're on the same Live Stream!

:evilgrin:

[jaxx]

61. lol now I think it was the claw arm moving in and out

lmao

[NYC_SKP]

62. kinky.

amsterdam? germany?

:rofl:

[NYC_SKP]

54. Note the presence of the classic seamen's knots called "monkey fists"....

At the ends of robot arms and in other places.

On this feed at the moment.

Ball shaped knots.

[jaxx]

57. Ha! Just learned something new.

I'm not into knots, but that's an interesting one.

[NYC_SKP]

49. I found some new feeds with actual activity... Here:

Try all of the links on this page:

http://docs.google.com/View?id=dff7zmqz_7c6rdwsc9

or

Primary BP Feed (http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:46245.asx?bkup=46260)


Skandi Neptune SS7 , alternate (http://a662.l9789246661.c97892.g.lm.akamaistream.net/D/662/97892/v0001/reflector:49182, http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:49182.asx)


Backup BP Feed (http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:46661.asx?bkup=46663)


"Greenie" (http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:45135.asx)


:patriot:

[gateley]

53. What's that calendar looking thing that says 17?

:evilgrin:

[NYC_SKP]

55. We looking into that right now...

...a team. Need to know basis. Say no more.

:P

[gateley]

56. Did you notice this statement?

TV coverage may or may not be showing ROV and they sometimes seem to have access to alternate feeds not available to the public.

[NYC_SKP]

58. Precisely, gateley!

[jaxx]

60. Where are you?

[gateley]

79. Sorry - I thought you were addressing NYC_SKP. I was lying down waiting for

my BC powder to ease my headache. Still here but it's abated somewhat. :hi:

[NYC_SKP]

63. OK, the only two feeds with any action both say "dispersant ops" on the screen.

One has a shot of the BOP, not much happening, a couple of monkey fists, which are cool.

I see a stream of white fluid streaming upward into the plume.

The other shows some wild closeup robot action, no idea where or what they are doing.

Anyone seeing anything else?

:shrug:

[jaxx]

66. Nope. Just playing in the dirt.

I thought it was going to get moving again....guess not yet.

[flamingdem]

70. I saw the claw hand robot and the wire saw, now dispersant op nt

[NYC_SKP]

64. OK, to pass the time...

Sailors developed a number of great crafts and skills, such as the art of scrimshaw.

Many think of the intricate knots as works of art, but these were also quite utilitarian.

A "Monkey Fist" is one of these useful knots, and not terribly difficult to make.

Sometimes these are tied around a weight and used to heave lines from ship to shore.

Other times they are used just as a sort of handle, as we see in the current Under Sea Operations.

I've made a few as keychains, and one tied around a heavy lead ball as a throwing rope.

It's fun, and a good way to pass the time:

Below is a diagram:



:patriot:

[flamingdem]

67. Glad to know monkeyfister is not a questionable term!

So the writer for monkeyfister.blogspot.com must make be good with knots not other practices

[gateley]

74. ...

:spank:

[tekisui]

69. Very cool!

I love knots. Thanks for this one!

[flamingdem]

65. I'm watching BP's cam of clawbot and wire cutter, I think

what is going on?

Did they sharpen the blade? It looks like the diamond blade but there is a lot of turbulence.

found on oildrum:
The technician said that rather than trying again with the saw, the plan now was to use a large shear to cut the riser. The shear, which is about 20 feet long and nearly 10 feet high, was used to make an earlier cut in the riser about 50 feet from the wellhead. Because the shear will not make as clean a cut as the wire saw, modifications would have to be made to the containment cap that is to be lowered over the cut pipe. But the technician said that even with the switch to the shear and the modifications, he expected the containment cap could be in place by Thursday.

[jaxx]

68. That's interesting. Hope they do get the cap on.

Work again...arrrgghhhh. See you all in the morning.

[gateley]

72. Good - jaxx is gone - now something is BOUND to happen! nt

[NYC_SKP]

76. Ha!

:rofl:

Hey, I was looking over the earlier threads.

We've come a long way!

So sophisticated.

:toast:

[gateley]

77. Now I find myself becoming perturbed when somebody says "why don't they

just..." whereas before, I was saying the same things!

And they've really accomplished a lot, too. I am SO hopeful this attempt will work, and SO hopeful they'll get started again soon. :7

[NYC_SKP]

71. My understanding of the LMRP design is that it needs a neat flat cut surface...

...I'm not sure that the crimp-cut end that the shear would leave would make for a very good seal.

But who knows:

I'd like to see something done.

I'm surprised they don't go down and start cutting again, maybe from the opposite side.

Hmmmmm.

[gateley]

73. I heard that since Jaws can't do such a smooooooth cut, they will go with

the cap that is larger and (I'm assuming) doesn't need to be as precise a fit. I think they may fill it with some goop, too.

[Feron]

75. Feed links:

This guy embedded all of the links on his page: http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/bp-live-oil-spill-cam.html

Streams list:http://data.plan9.de/akamai-bp-streams.txt
http://docs.google.com/View?id=dff7zmqz_7c6rdwsc9

/taken from the IRC chat.

[NYC_SKP]

78. That first one is dreamy!

Love it...

Gotta put it up on the big screen...

:thumbsup:

[gateley]

81. Do you think the color bars indicate we've seen all we're gonna see tonight?

[NYC_SKP]

82. color bars show a couple of cams down for a while. I think they're doing some maintenance, too.

Recharging batteries, etc.

Rumor is that the CLAW or shear is coming back and that the LMRP is off the table now and the Top Hat will be used.

A lighter weight cover without the annular seal, it would work over the BOP with the riser cut off with the CLAW.

They'll have to solve the hydrate formation problem, and we have to hope that the plan they have will draw ALL the product away from the well, because it's not going to be a tight seal.

:hi:

[gateley]

86. Just came back from picking up my nephew from the Mariners game (we won!)

It seems as though SOMETHING is happening - anything that I should caffeine up for? :hi:

[flamingdem]

83. So many ideas that aren't being harnessed by BP

* 200 scientists (and James Cameron?!) are meeting with Steven Chu for problems solving soon according to MSNBC

Examples about on the internets:


http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6551


Woods27 and Eggtimer1

My thoughts have been moving in a similar direction to yours regarding the potential use of the Big Flange as an anchor point. My concept centered around a design similiar to a Prop Puller, which as you may know is 3 arms that swing in to seize the base of a boat propeller as it is tightened against the shaft. Seemed to me that up to eight adustable arms could be attached to a cap with feet that would swing in and extend under the big flange and tighten the cap against the top of the existing flange. It is this ability to easily and instantly anchor the cap and then to tighten at will as required to seal that is so important, and with the proper adjust able arms could be made to instantly release if required.

This idea seemed to address the concerns regarding the uncontrolled release of pressure if the existing riser is cut and would only need to contain the existing release pressure and regarding the holding down of the drill pipe if the riser is cut since the riser could be sheared or crimped beyond its existing leaks and contained within the cap. It also offered a larger mateing surface to spread the internal pressure and the ability to fit the cap over the existing structure and contain it rather than cutting off the existing structure in order to fit (thread the needle) within the pipe.

Your similar ideas and drawings have given this concept life and I have submitted this thread on an Alternative Technology Response form as referenced above. Hopefully it will rceive a reasoned response.

[gateley]

87. I bet you they're just blowing off the whack-sounding ideas and rolling their

eyes at the suggestions. They seem to be using exactly the same steps they tried at Ixtoc - no creativity.

I hope Dr. Chu has an open mind and doesn't let BP pooh pooh any potentially viable suggestions.

[Subdivisions]

84. Uhh...has anyone seen Subdivis... er.. oh! That's me! Now just where

the hell have I been!?

[gateley]

88. I know where I've been, have you remembered where you were yet? nt

[Subdivisions]

85. Got a shot of the cap here:

http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:46260.asx

[gateley]

89. Think anything is going to happen soon? I don't see Jaws anywhere in the neighborhood.

If nobody answers me, see you guys tomorrow! :hi:

Take care, BP crew! :yourock:

[Feron]

90. BP finally put up a list of the ROV feeds...

http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9033572&contentId=7062605

[lamp_shade]

91. TheOilDrum current node #6551. Great stuff.

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6551

[lamp_shade]

92. Best multi-feed I've found > >

http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/bp-live-oil-spill-cam.html

[Junkdrawer]

93. GREAT LINK....

Yhanks

[Junkdrawer]

94. Hydraulic Shear about to be postioned for cut... n/t

[HughMoran]

95. Cutting now!!

[HughMoran]

96. Looks like they're weighting the shears to hold the tips down from oil flow

wow

[HughMoran]

101. Oops! No, that was the bent over riser I was looking at!

Doh!

[HughMoran]

97. Repositioning shears close to the original diamond cut now

They're going for it. :scared:

[Junkdrawer]

98. If there were a time when pressure could blow out the BOP, this is it....

during the cut, the diamond saw slit will be the only pressure release....

[HughMoran]

99. Yep. OTOH though, they put more pressure on some internal parts when they tried the Top Kill

I think the BOP could handle a complete seal - no? Perhaps not the part above where the shears are - I don't know.

[Junkdrawer]

100. I think the worry is the coupling below the BOP...n/t

[HughMoran]

102. At the ocean floor?

Isn't that always a worry when you activate the BOP in an emergency?

[Junkdrawer]

104. I don't know about always, but in this case, there was talk about a faulty cement job....

and now that the whole BOP has been leaning....

[HughMoran]

106. oh, great. I thing the riser is nearly free!!!!

[HughMoran]

103. A lot has been learned about deep-sea contingency planning

...and what works and doesn't work - lol. Engineering is not an exact science. Trust me, I know - lol.

[Lochloosa]

105. Best Cam Site I have seen yet. Link below. Multiple Cams

http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/bp-live-oil-spill-cam.html

[HughMoran]

107. I'm there - it's the balls!

[HughMoran]

108. Volcano time!

The snips are making progress.

[HughMoran]

109. It's OFF!!!

I'm 99% sure the riser has been snipped off.

[SidDithers]

110. I think you're right...

Sid

[HughMoran]

111. Nice snapshot - I saw that and said "100%" to myself

well, get that friggin' cap on there now!!

[Lochloosa]

112. Any idea on the schedule for the cap?

[NYC_SKP]

113. Sorry I've been away. Just got done snipping the riser with a 54,000 pound shear.

Now I'm covered in oil, need a shower, be right back!

:hi:

[SidDithers]

114. Is Ocean Intervention III - ROV 2 trying to put a cap on right now?...

http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:44838.asx?bkup=45135

Edit: can't be. They're going to have to get a good look at the condition of the snipped riser first.

Sid

[HughMoran]

115. Check out this snapshot of the cut riser with drill pipe clearly visible within!

[NYC_SKP]

116. The Drill Pipe inside Jammed the Wire Saw, IMHO.

We'll never know for sure, but that seems reasonable.

On to Plan Q!!!

:hi:

[SidDithers]

118. Jeez, with the other end looking like that...

it's going to be tough to get a cap to fit.

Wonder if they'll make a new cap to fit that shape?

Sid

[HughMoran]

122. They're clearly limited to using the cap that goes over the flange now

Check out the pics of the two caps, they made one for inside the pipe, one that fit over the entire thing and sealed against the flange below.

[harun]

121. If the drill pipe is still in there, how did the junk shot not work?

Doesn't seem like there would be room for the stuff to go by.

[SidDithers]

129. Another view of the cut...

not sure if the is the BOP end, which was just cut, or the end that was cut yesterday.



Edit: must be the end cut yesterday, there's no bend close to the cut.

Sid

[HughMoran]

131. I caught that one too - that's the far end that was cut previously

I first thought it was the BOP end, then realized it was straight and the drill pipe was pinched differently.

[Subdivisions]

117. Well damn...

Went to bed a 2am and nothing had been happening for hours. Get up at find that the riser is now gone and it was not the diamond wire saw that cut by instead it was the SHEARS? WTF???

How the heck did they get that big ass shear into position that close to the riser pipe flange (just below where the wire saw was cutting?

[HughMoran]

119. I think it was just above where the wire saw was cutting

It was visibly just above the wire saw cut - which was gushing as they cut it.

[Subdivisions]

123. Was it the same shear that was used to cut the other end of the pipe

off or was it another smaller shear? I'm just having trouble visualizing how that big ass shear was put into position in order to make the cut.

[HughMoran]

125. The shears were hung horizontally and appeared to be a different set

...but I'm not at all sure they were a different set, could have been oil on the jaws making them look different.

[NYC_SKP]

120. For any Heavy Equipment geeks: YouTube of the Genesis 2500XP-R Shear.

Well, the whole series, but the 2500XP-R is the biggest at 54,000 pounds.

The 2500XP is 46,000 pounds, but doesn't have the rotating cuff.

What we saw had the rotating cuff.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VX3uOAuRsIA

:patriot:

[HughMoran]

124. IMO, these shears looked different than the set that cut the horizontal

Not sure, but they appeared to be a different set. What do you think?

[NYC_SKP]

126. I think what they're showing are the smaller siblings.

They're all a little different, but thought this might be interesting to watch, no oil to obscure what we're seeing.

:hi:

[HughMoran]

128. My question was whether they shears that BP used to cut the horizontal were a different set

than the shears used to cut the vertical section. :hi:

[NYC_SKP]

135. Oh, no, I don't think so. Both were ginormous and both had the rotating cuff.

I'd be interested in knowing how they strapped the thing to go in for the horizontal cut.

[NYC_SKP]

127. I suggest someone post "Watch the BP Cam! Thread #13".

I don't have time, but this one is over 100 replies.

And we're in a new phase!!!!

Go for it, jaxx, Subdivisions, Junkdrawer, flamingdem, Statistical, HughMoran, Feran, or anyone else with skilz.

:hi:

[HughMoran]

130. I don't know how to extract all the links from the original post

doh

[NYC_SKP]

134. Ah, for next time here's how.

It's easiest to open more than one tab or window and go back and forth.

Open a new OP window, and have the last thread open in the other.

Click on each link in the old OP to go to that site, then copy the URL and paste into the new OP.

Before posting, use "preview" and check each link.

Then it's good to go!

:hi:

[jaxx]

132. Thread #13 is up

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8476281

[HughMoran]

133. sweet