Watch the BP Cam - Thread #4

[jaxx]

#3 is at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8459534&mesg_id=8459534

Hopefully they put this to bed so we can go too.

[Duer 157099]

1. No rest for the wicked, I'm afraid

This thing has a logo with "CUT" on it, that's sort of cute.

[jaxx]

3. Nope but it looks like they're moving the diamond saw into place...

or at least moving it around.

[Buns_of_Fire]

8. Maybe it's like those hand dryers in public restrooms.

1: Push button
2: Rub hands under warm air
3: Dryer stops automatically
4: Wipe hands on pants because they're still wet

Hopefully this isn't made by the same people:

1: Position CUTter around riser pipe and secure diamond cable
2: Initiate startup command
3: Move ROVs out of the way -- CUTter stops automatically
4: Send someone down with a hacksaw to finish the job

[jaxx]

10. LOL that doesn't look like fun at all.

[Buns_of_Fire]

2. Thanks! I was just gearing up to start a new thread when I saw your post.

I hope BP appreciates this. We should send them a bill.

[Subdivisions]

4. Think I'm going to try to catch a nap. Somebody nudge me if

they start sawing.

[jaxx]

7. Ok if I hold out I'll post the time they saw....

or one of the other ones will.

[Subdivisions]

23. OK, it sucked me back in. Looks like they're going for it. I'd almost

swear they want to be done with this in time for breakfast.

[jaxx]

25. They're struggling with this.

[Subdivisions]

31. Looks like they got it! Yay! n/t

[jaxx]

33. Yep that was scary.

[Subdivisions]

35. Wow! Look at that connection! It looks perfect. Let's hope it is. n/t

[Duer 157099]

5. I wish there were a channel on TV that would show this 24/7

so then I could DVR it and FF to the interesting parts

[Feron]

9. Check out this thread..

http://www.doomers.us/forum2/index.php/topic,68178.3885.html

They seem to screencap and video any and all meaningful activity.

/not affilated

[Duer 157099]

12. thanks. bookmarked n/t

[Duer 157099]

6. The iCut is approaching the kinked riser...

looks like it's about to engage...

[jaxx]

13. I wonder if they made it in the middle of the night on purpose.

Now I'm getting paranoid.

[Duer 157099]

15. Well I've been watching for days now and it does seem

that all of the interesting stuff begins around midnight my time (pacific)

[Duer 157099]

11. Every time it gets close, ole smokey seems to blow it away

is the pressure from the gusher not allowing it to approach?

[Duer 157099]

14. *snort* I'm sorry but every time that claw misses it's mark I laugh

the level of technology here is just.. well, it rivals Chuck E Cheeses

[jaxx]

16. I say gotcha.....or not.

There are some pretty wild odds down that far. I really don't know how they manage to get anything done.

[Duer 157099]

17. Now it looks like they're going to a pushme-pullme strategy

Looks like their positioning a strap so that they can pull the iCut into place since pushing it didn't seem to counter the force from the plume (WAG on my part)

[jaxx]

18. Seems like that strap could have had some form to it and it

wouldn't have been like a limp noodle.

[Duer 157099]

19. Awwww! They're hugging!!

How cute

[Duer 157099]

20. Whoops, seems like that "hug" caused a major eruption

we're back to the sexual metaphors I guess

[jaxx]

21. Yeah and it's really leaning now.

The saw has to get above those big bolts.

[Duer 157099]

22. That claw needs to grab that strap and pull it I think n/t

[jaxx]

24. Claw #2 needs to get in there and lift the front up so it doesn't

knock the thing over.

[Webster Green]

27. Looks like they're going in for the cut.

I'm hip-mo-tized watching this stuff.

[Buns_of_Fire]

26. C'mon guys -- think "pitching horseshoes"! nt

[Duer 157099]

28. Except... close doesn't count n/t

[Buns_of_Fire]

34. They almost had a "leaner" on one...

Right about now is when I start to wonder if the thumping and bumping and jerking and jostling shook something loose that they need. I know these kinds of things SHOULD be built pretty sturdily, but then...

[Duer 157099]

37. Just think when the blade starts turning

That will be some major vibrations I would expect

[Buns_of_Fire]

43. True. I worry too much. nt

[Duer 157099]

29. Houston we have engagement! Sqeeze dammit, squeeze! n/t

[jaxx]

30. Wow they are connected.

And where is big jaws? I hope it's in place to cut too.

[jaxx]

32. Git r done before it falls over

[Subdivisions]

36. Look at the jaw that has hold of the flange. That is perfect! n/t

[Duer 157099]

39. Yeah it just rushed right in like "aw hell, I'm goin for it"

and damn it hit the spot right on

[jaxx]

40. It looks like they fit right together.

Now cut it.

[Parker CA]

38. So what are we waiting for? Are the shears in that contraption currently hooked to the riser?

[Duer 157099]

41. I assume so; is this going to be shears or a blade?

I thought a blade but this looks like shears.

I wonder if they can just crimp the pipe shut?

[Parker CA]

42. Not sure. Either way, that freshly cut pipe protruding from the top of the BOP is gonna

spew a crazy amount of oil.

[Buns_of_Fire]

44. Watch now. I would expect visibility to be zero fairly shortly. nt

[caduceus111]

45. Should look like this...

EDIT: But much dirtier than their pristine corporate images.

[Parker CA]

47. Looks like we're almost at that point. I don't see any diamond wire for cutting though.

[NYC_SKP]

68. Diamond wire cutting operation comes later this week.

Today the 46,000 pound shear will clip off all but maybe 50 feet of the riser.

It's got its jaws around it right now.

[jaxx]

46. Looks like black coming up, maybe they cut it at the floor?

[Duer 157099]

48. They'd better zoom in for a close up when the cutting starts n/t

[iamtechus]

49. Nothing but a still picture. Everyone gone to bed?

[Duer 157099]

50. I'm debating whether I have time to go start the dishwasher

I know as soon as I leave, the real action will begin

[jaxx]

54. WTF the computer had a seizure.

What did I miss? I wait all night and then this...vista sucks.

[Duer 157099]

56. I don't know, I went to start the dishwasher, just got back

Not sure what I'm looking at now

[AllenVanAllen]

51. "Our" ROV has moved away from the riser.

I'm looking at some kind of yellow boom. I just saw a bright orange jellyfish swim by...

[Buns_of_Fire]

52. I think that yellow boom is the JAWS unit for the horizontal slice. nt

[Buns_of_Fire]

53. Whew. They finally got that cable unhooked from the square box.

I was wondering what the "Plan B" would be if they couldn't get it unhooked.

[Buns_of_Fire]

55. Well, I'm afraid they're going to have to finish this up without my help.

My eyes are glazing over, my fingers aren't working quite as well as they're supposed to, and my butt hurts from sitting here for however-many hours it's been. But I figure we got them this far, they should be able to bring it home by themselves. Nighty night.

[jaxx]

57. Good night.

I'm gonna stick it out for a few more since I missed the main event.

[Duer 157099]

58. Well if this fails then we'll know who to blame

I mean, besides BP

:hi:

G'nite, don't worry too much, we'll try to pinchhit for as long as we can

[jaxx]

59. Did the oil gush out when they cut the riser?

[Duer 157099]

60. They better not have cut it without the camera on it

I think they're still getting things in place

[jaxx]

61. ok thanks

[Duer 157099]

62. WELL??? Let's get on with this already!

Sheesh, like we have all night to sit and watch floaters.

[jaxx]

63. Yeah, I think I'm going to hang it up.

It's been a crazy night.

Night.

[lamp_shade]

64. Present.

[Junkdrawer]

65. Cutting bots in position - Waiting for the call from the governor?

:shrug:

[flying rabbit]

66. K & rec this up for the morning crew!

[Buns_of_Fire]

67. Geez. Can't leave those guys alone for a minute.

I see that the JAWS contraption is still sitting there unused, and MSNBC is still reporting on the "Top Kill" failure of the weekend (only referring to this as a "risky" maneuver) and quotes some BP exec as saying that the flow may continue unabated until August.

So what's the holdup, BP? Waiting for the world to say "please?"

Okay. Please?

On Edit: It looks like they're positioning the JAWS thing over the horizontal riser pipe now. (Maybe saying "please" worked?)

[itsrobert]

69. Please post a link to the video when you post new threads

If it's not too much of a bother.

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.


I'm at work and didn't have the link handy, had to go back to thread #1.

[Buns_of_Fire]

70. There's also the BP link (the one I'm watching):

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

[gateley]

71. Good morning -It looks like it's at ease. Do you know if it's been that

way for a while? Seems like I missed some excitement while I slept. That'll teach me!

[NYC_SKP]

72. Resting for last 20 minutes. Earlier they were close up on the shear.

The straps suspending the riser looked too loose to commence, then the ROV moved back, but the jaws are positioned over the riser, but I didn't think the riser was quite far enough into the jaws.

I suspect they're making sure everything is tight before taking the big bite.

Time for thread #5, gately?

Maybe include viewing links:

http://www.wkrg.com/gulf_oil_spill/spill_cam/

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

And that video describing the operation: http://bp.concerts.com/gom/kentwellstechupdatelong053110.htm

:hi:

[gateley]

73. Thanks - and thanks for the links. Just looked again and there's movement!

I'll go start thread 5 and be back with the link. Good morning!

[gateley]

74. THREAD #5 link

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x8461100


Here's to a new day with all of us with our noses pressed up against our monitors going :wow: