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14 comments on Is this post rigged, or some information on oil platforms.

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Heading Out on October 3, 2005 - 1:24am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
The companies are required to insert storm packers (something like a rather large cork) into the wells when a storm approaches so that even if there is a problem the well will remain sealed.  Unfortunately as some of our correspondents have noted this does not help when the rig is displaced and the risers get bent out of shape.  Then it gets harder to re-establish the well and it may be cheaper to redrill.  One then has to decide if there is enough oil left to justify that investment.

And at present  the debate on repair has also to consider how long it is going to take to get a new rig, as opposed to trying to fix, (and recertify all the parts of) the old one.

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NC on October 3, 2005 - 9:29am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
So are the risers attached to the platform?  Or is there a long flexible connection from the top of the riser to the platform?  It sounds as if the risers are coming up out of water at or near the level of the platform so that when the platform shifts it rides over the risers bending them in the process.  The bends can occur anywhere between surface and seafloor?  And likeley different places for each well going to the platform making repostioning and replacement of bends technically difficult (impossible) when there are multiple wells angling up to a centerpoint.

Am I visualizing this correctly?  If not, set me straight.

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NC on October 3, 2005 - 9:36am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
HO, one more thing.

If my previous post is correct than platforms don't need to be sunk, set adrift, etc. only shifted significantly off attachments.  This would cause major bends in wells, restricting or pinching off flow?  I'm trying to get a handle on what consititues major damage to a platform.  Might intact platforms with minimal surface destruction be sitting on top of non functional wells now if 50 foot waves moved them laterally?

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Heading Out on October 3, 2005 - 11:40am Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Before a bad storm they will disconnect the risers and raise them.  But if the platform moves then they may need an ROV (Remotely Operated Vehicle - one of those little mini-sub deals) to go back and a) find b) if necessary repair the BOP and structure so that they can reconnect.  These structures have to be fairly tightly aligned to hit the holes.   There was a post at about the time of Katrina that spelled out all the problems, but unfortunately this morning I can't put my hands on it.  Sensibly I was quoting one of our insiders down in the Gulf, who is now stuck with having to do this (or arranging the same) for their rigs.
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NC on October 3, 2005 - 12:54pm Permalink | Subthread | Parent | Comments top
Okay I think I've got the picture now and understand the alignment issues even if no damage to casings.  If you have a series of risers they all have to align with there respective casing.  Thanks for the clarification.
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14 comments on Is this post rigged, or some information on oil platforms.

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