Watch the BP Cam - Thread #2

[gateley]

#1: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8457616&mesg_id=8458936

Here's the link I'm watching: http://www.livestream.com/wkrg_oil_spill

There's also one on cnn.com, msnbc.com, bp.com, and others are adding links they've found.

[Junkdrawer]

1. Picture and link snagged from Monkeyfister...

http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9033657&contentId=7062491

Via:
http://monkeyfister.blogspot.com/

[Subdivisions]

5. They are currently working on the rigging you see there

on the horizontal section of the riser pipe.

[Subdivisions]

2. I'm still here =). The ROV just retrieved a strap from

a supply of them hanging nearby.

[gateley]

8. Subdivisions - you're our play-by-play guy! nt

[Subdivisions]

12. My pleasure =) They'll be working on this rigging operation for

a while. It's neat watching them work those ROV manipulators to unhook those straps.

[gateley]

16. Just don't forget about Sheldon and Penny! nt

[Subdivisions]

19. Already watched and have the TV back on the ROV operation. =) n/t

[gateley]

26. I was relieved to see it's a rerun. :-) nt

[drm604]

3. Thank you.

There's the jaws again.

[Cleita]

4. This is like watching "Space Odyssey 2001" only underwater.

[Pirate Smile]

24. It really does seem similar to outer space because we can't reach it and the

atmosphere/pressure is so enormous, the complications all of that causes, etc.

[Subdivisions]

34. Unlike outer space, humans cannot go to where these ROVs are. n/t

[Cleita]

46. Not yet. But what to you want to bet that engineers at NASA and in the oil industry

might come up with suits and diving equipment in the future that humans can wear at that depth. I can't imagine even the most jaded oilman billionaire and CEO wanting a repeat of this.

[BeFree]

80. Alvin

Google Alvin.

It's like and underwater spaceship, but it doesn't fly.

[Cleita]

91. I remember reading about and watching docus on Alvin.

They would need to adapt something like it for use in this type of emergency.

[Feron]

6. Another link:

http://mfile.akamai.com/97892/live/reflector:46245.asx?bkup=46260

I'm watching in VLC player.

[drm604]

10. That's the link I'm using,

in RealPlayer.

[jaxx]

7. Ok now we're good to go.

[Buns_of_Fire]

9. Thank you. And I'm sure the dialup people thank you, too!

:thumbsup:

[jaxx]

13. I never thought of that....glad it was restarted.

[NYC_SKP]

11. Thank you for the new thread, gateley. I'm also following this.

My link is http://www.wkrg.com/gulf_oil_spill/spill_cam/

Fascinating.

One appreciates why it takes so long, they've had to send the ROVs a mile up to the ship, and back down, more than once.

Doing this operation remotely with tools that would traditionally been used above water with hands and eyes on is quite remarkable.

Not that it isn't still a FUBAR clusterfuck.

:hi:

[Junkdrawer]

14. Hard part will be putting the cap on the BOP once the riser is cut....

Imagine trying to attach a nozzle to a garden hose while the water is on full...

[drm604]

18. More like a fire hose.

[NYC_SKP]

40. Actually, I'm not sure the *relative* pressure is not that great. Two things.

Unlike a fire hose or garden hose, which is a moderately dense liquid spewing into air (low density gas), this is one dense liquid spewing out into another dense liquid.

The effects will be different, there will be less tendency for an object to move over into the seawater, which is also dense, than if it was air.

Secondly, the diameter of the hole, 21", allows for quite a bit of crude to flow out without there being a terrific speed.

I wouldn't hazard a guess as to the velocity, but I think it might be 1/4 or 1/3 of the velocity of a fire hose, maybe less.

:think:

[csziggy]

101. BTDT - put a spigot on a pipe without turning the water off

The trick is to have the valve open and be prepared to get really wet. It almost felt good since it was a hot day.

But the pressure of a home (or farm in my case) water system is nothing compared to the pressure of the oil coming out of that riser. I guess that is why the thing (LMRB?) they will be putting over the top if they can get the end cut off has all kinds of openings below the seal.

[Buns_of_Fire]

21. They certainly are dexterous with those things.

And to think our parents always told us that playing "Frogger" and "Asteroids" eighteen hours a day wasn't good training for the real world? :freak:

[gateley]

27. That may be where these guys got their start -- seriously! nt

[gateley]

22. We never dream all that it entails - this show us how intricate it really is.

We expect instant results and this explains why that's not possible.

These people know what they're doing, as far as you can know something that's never been attempted at this depth before. I think they're doing an outstanding job AND being able to watch this gives reassurance that they're working diligently.

[RKP5637]

44. +1, n/t

[Brickbat]

15. How odd -- I find it uncomfortable watching that. It's not exactly claustrophobia, but all that

water makes me nervous.

[gateley]

17. That's interesting - does this reaction surprise you? nt

[Brickbat]

30. Very much.

I'm not afraid of water, nor am I terrible claustrophobic. But watching that feed gives me the same feeling I get when I'm on a high unprotected cliff. Not exactly vertigo, but almost.

[gateley]

70. I strongly identify with the feeling on a high unprotected cliff (only I don't go

up on them, just seeing them on tv or in the movies does it), but I hadn't even thought about a similar reaction to this until you mentioned it. Did you ever want to go scuba diving, or does the thought of that give you the same sensation?

[Brickbat]

81. I don't think it would, although I'm not a big fan of stuff that requires swimming...

I can't swim. Which might be the problem. :)

[jaxx]

20. The whole thing is nerve wracking.

And then you think of the people using joysticks to move the claws around and get all this done. It's mind boggling.

[gateley]

25. It would be great if the operator could use his hands and have those movements

translated to the ROV. But I bet they are so adept at this by now, it's almost natural to them.

I couldn't even handle PacMan!

[flamingdem]

103. This is the next step - gestural interfaces - already being used around the world nt

[csziggy]

111. They need waldos! Isaac Asimov predicted the technology long ago

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waldo_%28short_story%29

http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/content.asp?Bnum=23

[Cleita]

28. I know. You just fear that there could be slip or mishap that would

send us back to square one. I'm feeling much better now, than I have been in a while, that there might be some hope to fix this so we can move forward into saving what we can of the Gulf.

[jaxx]

31. Yeah there is a lot hanging on this procedure.

At least they are really trying to get it stopped.

[drm604]

29. I could be mistaken, but I don't think it's joysticks.

It's probably a waldo arrangement where you put your hands in glove-like devices and the robotic hands then mimic your own hands' movements.

[jaxx]

35. I don't know. But what a job.

[time_has_come]

23. You will drive yourself insane watching that thing until August. N/t

[gateley]

32. Here's a link to the current Oil Drum thread -- and they have a link there

to a chat room, kind of a live action commentary, I'm guessing.

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6538#comments_top

[Cleita]

37. Trying to connect a plug to a box it appears.

The water seems clear enough to read the label on the box.

[angrycarpenter]

33. Even if no one else is,

the people running those robotic manipulators are competent. They have ice water in their veins.

[drm604]

36. C'mon, you can do it.

Hit that hole!

[jaxx]

38. What is that thing they're holding on to so tightly?

[drm604]

43. I don't know what it is

but they finally got it in that hole.

[Cleita]

39. Yay! It seems connection is made.

[Spazito]

41. "Come on rookie, park that thing!"...

Your post reminded me of the above quote from "Apollo 13", lol.

[drm604]

42. And a cheer goes up from the crowd!

Score!

[drm604]

45. What happened?

I stepped away for a second and it's out of the hole again. :shrug:

[Buns_of_Fire]

51. Yeah, I hate it when that happens... nt

[drm604]

47. Now stay there damnit!

lol

[gateley]

49. How frustrating!. I'd be throwing a tantrum if I were the operator. nt

[jaxx]

50. It's like threading a needle without your glasses

while rocking back and forth.

[gateley]

53. Can you imagine? And I was just thinking, the guy can't FEEL anything, like if

there's just a little something in the way, or if he's not exerting enough pressure. Gaaaaahhhhh!!!!!

[Subdivisions]

54. I be beating that thing in there with a pipe wrench by now. GO GOD DAMMIT! n/t

[gateley]

56. I know! Just. One. Good. Push! nt

[Subdivisions]

58. You know the big guns are standing somewhere close by and the

operator can't just throw a fit. LOL!

[gateley]

65. I was just wondering if the room gets dead silent, then erupts in a chorus of

Oh FUCK!

[Buns_of_Fire]

60. Unfortunately, the "Beating With a Pipewrench" option is only available on the Titan 5. nt

[Subdivisions]

48. Put some hair around it! n/t

[jillan]

52. Wow - I've been out of the loop all day - didn't even know this is going on.

[gateley]

55. It's been a few hours. They sawed a couple of pipes, hitched some things

together with belt-like things - it's been riveting. This ends my technical report.

[spanone]

74. can you dumb that down for me???

:rofl: :hi:

[drm604]

57. It's out again!

:banghead:

[gateley]

61. Paging Pam! Go help them with your Mouse! nt

[gateley]

59. Embarrassing question: At that depth, is there movement, like currents, or is

it pretty still and dead?

I ask because 1) I don't know, and 2) I was wondering if that's why sometimes it seems as though the ROV is bobbing around. When they were doing the "belt thing" (sorry for the technical term) it looked pretty still, it wasn't lashing around or anything. :shrug:

[Subdivisions]

63. Strong current at times with some gusts. n/t

[gateley]

68. Thanks! nt

[Cleita]

62. I can't believe I've been watching this for two hours and am finding it

riveting, and it does beat a bunch of tired reruns on TV tonight.

[jaxx]

64. I had to get some coffee.

This may be a long night.

[Subdivisions]

67. And it looks like the guy trying to plug that thing into that socket had to

go and take a smoke break. And probably find a nice quiet place to throw a walleyed fit. You just know those operators want to do their very best work on this.

[jaxx]

71. Oh yeah that has to be frustrating.

Almost nooooo

[drm604]

69. I have to go to work in the morning or I'd probably do the same thing.

I should be in bed right now.

[jaxx]

72. The joy of 3rd shift, I'm used to crazy hours.

[drm604]

66. Is this a different feed?

[Subdivisions]

73. Yes. I'd be willing to be that what the other feed was showing, with them

trying to plug that thing into that other box thing, was something to do with the wire saw they'll be using to cut the base of the riser pipe. Looks like most of the rigging is done and ready to hoist at the right time.

[gateley]

76. Do you think they're just kind of inspecting it now -- doing a swim by?? nt

[Subdivisions]

88. Yea, he's just checking things out while they figure out what to do about

the thing they were trying to do with plugging that piece of equipment into that socket.

[Subdivisions]

75. That shot of the top of the BOP just then looks like they might be

about to cut down low enough to get that round opening I spoke about in the other thread.

[gateley]

77. What I'm looking at looks kind of like a rain gutter - is that the shot you have?

[NYC_SKP]

79. I assume it's the collapsed riser, but surprised at its flat appearance.

at least up where it's bent coming off the BOP.

Camera has moved down-pipe, it looks more cylindrical now.

[Subdivisions]

99. Here's a quick drawing showing the riser configuration...

[NYC_SKP]

100. That's missing the drill pipe inside, isn't it?

a nine inch drilling pipe?

:shrug:

I appreciate the graphic, didn't realize there were those four external lines.

:hi:

[Subdivisions]

115. That's a good question. I'm not sure of the answer. n/t

[Subdivisions]

82. That is the riser pipe assembly. You can see that it has four other smaller

pipes around it so that they form a square - of sorts.

[jaxx]

78. How will they ever match up the pipes with the oil gushing out more

than it is now?

[NYC_SKP]

85. The LMRP has guide rails, and once in place the crude is still escaping...

...until they lower the boom on it, a gasket/seal type of thing.

Also, I think many overestimate the velocity at which the product is leaving the BOP.

The large diameter allows for quite a bit of oil to be released at fairly low velocity, it's not like a fire hose.

In fact, that the riser constrains the flow actually increases the pressure and velocity, much as a thumb over a hose end would.

So, while the volume escaping will be 20% greater than now, at least it won't be a high velocity spew.

I think they can do it.

(edit to add image)

[Subdivisions]

87. Good explanation. n/t

[jaxx]

89. Ok thanks.

I am keeping my fingers crossed.....by now my eyes too!

[gateley]

92. That's reassuring - thanks. nt

[Buns_of_Fire]

104. Okay, I get it now. Thanks.

I was envisioning it being like one of those gushers you always see in the movies, except underwater.

So if it's not really a high-velocity outflow, we could still use Rush Limbaugh to plug it up in a pinch. Good news for all (except maybe Rush Limbaugh). :evilgrin:

[NYC_SKP]

107. I think that would work, put him in head first.

Mouth open, take his pants off, let physics take care of the rest.

:evilgrin:

[jaxx]

83. Can anyone explain what we're seeing now. Yellow equip.

[flamingdem]

84. Is it soup yet? What stage have we reached? nt

[Subdivisions]

86. Waiting for the other ROV to get a piece of equipment plugged

into an electrical generator (I'm assuming). Right now we're seeing an inspection of the rigging on the riser pipe assembly.

[flamingdem]

90. That's some graphic!

:thumbsup:

[Subdivisions]

93. Yea, thought I'd make one up for the occasion. Hoping to send some

good energy to those ROV operators. If they pull this off, I want to see them in a tickertape parade in Times Square somewhere down the line.

[jaxx]

95. That and a big fat bonus....one truly earned.

[gateley]

96. There are truly exceptional - I am so impressed. nt

[jaxx]

94. That is a cool graphic.

After tonight we are a club.

[gateley]

98. Maybe we can get Skinner to give us a Support Group! I love it! nt

[flamingdem]

97. Comment from theoildrum - the big shearer has arrived

theoildrum:
Oh, and while I'm here, yes it looks as though the big shearer has arrived, and I'm glad I'm not operating the ROV that is trying to put that plug into the ROV.

[Subdivisions]

102. That's what I thought it was, something to cut the big pipe with. n/t

[jaxx]

105. OMG here we go.................

[NYC_SKP]

106. OK, My BIG FAT Question of the Day: Why don't they just remove the bolts at the flange on BOP?

I'm sure there's a good reason, but does anyone know why they can't just remove the big bolts around the top of the BOP and lift off the top end, thus avoiding all this other work, then drop a custom cap on it?

:shrug:

[Duer 157099]

109. I was wondering that when they just showed the ROV fingers grasping it

and I thought "no way in hell that robotic arm is going to be able to turn that screw!"

[Subdivisions]

110. delete. dupe. n/t

[Subdivisions]

113. I don't think they can work those bolts with ROVs. But I'm just guessing. However,

there must be a good reason they're not doing that. Because is they could get those bolts loose, they would be doing it.

[NYC_SKP]

108. gateley: time for Thread #3!!!

"Shearing of the Riser"

:bounce:

[jaxx]

112. I'll go ahead and start it.

don't know where gately went off to.... ;-)

[jaxx]

114. thread #3 ready to go

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8459534

Hurry hurry!