Wind Turbines Part Two

Photo: by Lex Hazelbag
TheTamshee: gets plenty of opportunities to see the finished offshore wind farms. The photo above gives a better insight into the foundation construction required to support the turbines on the seabed. The pre-fabricated base is transported by the Gaint 4 barge to the desired location-in this case offshore Nyborg, which is situated on the East side of Funen, Denmark. During the submerging operation in +/- 14 meters water depth. The barge ballast tanks are flooded in a controled manner. This then allows the concrete base to be lowered, positioned and secured to the seabed.

Wind Turbines Part One

TheTamshee say: wind power is big business in Denmark. While parked at the quayside, we are getting surrounded by these gaint wind turbines. After construction they are transported to the dock with these clever wagons which have the conventional truck cab and hoisting trailer at the front, with an additional tail section-which is totally independant, and operated by remote control for the offloading operation. The turbine gearbox assembly is sandwiched between the two trailer sections, then lifted clear of the ground with the use of hydraulic pistons.
Thus, No cranes required to offload these gearbox assemblies. This is good for the trucking company because the driver does not have to hang around waiting for a harbour crane.

Esbjerg Water Tower

The Old Water Tower was built 1896-1897 on a Bronze Age burial mound above the newly constructed harbour. Since the tower is built upon at the height of the city, facing the sea, it soon became the landmark of Esbjerg. TheTamshee says: the troops on board the NBW could see the water tower in the near distance but due to shore leave restrictions we were only aloud to stroll the harbour area.

Noble Kolskaya

TheTamshee: has been off the net for some time now, contract finished with Maersk. Towed the rig to Esbjerg harbour for installation of new Molde type crane and some maintenance.

Promised the Rob-Meister that i would send a picture so he could build a leggo Oil Rig. This is not the NBW, it is the Kolskaya, previously managed by Noble. Finally made agreement with Skyline today to supply Wi-Max to the rig should be up and running in the next few days.

Offshore Denmark

TheTamshee: returns to Esbjerg, Denmark today. It transpires that Maersk has released the NBW early. We will depart to esbjerg harbour for installation of new Molde type 80 ton crane on the 7th August, weather permitting. Contract tender negotiations are ongoing with Maersk but no conclusion expected before end of month.

The HoteliCopter

TheTamshee: just can't understand why Maersk Oil & Gas won't shuttle the rig crew to the work place in one of these beauties.

Esvagt's FRC Training

TheTamshee says: we have the Esvagt Charlie on location at Valdemar, taking care of standby duties. The crews on these rescue vessels required extensive training to fulfill this vital role. In years gone by there services were required in the rescue of the crews on board the stricken Jack-Up drilling rig West Gamma which capsized in the North Sea during a hurricane in 1990 the weather made rescue from helicopter impossible. The crew had to jump into the water. All 51 men were picked up - the 46 by an FRC. Click Title Link for full detailed story.

Valdemar AA Denmark

TheTamshee says: the new tug, anchor handling boat the Maersk Transporter towed the NBW to new location at Valdemar AA platform. On arrival, we pinned legs at stand off location while the lead tug " Transporter" assisted by the Bugsier 21 layed the required anchor spread to haul us into final position alongside the unmanned satellite platform.When the tide was favourable the rig move team lead by Rob Breure, skillfully manouvered the unit onto the desired footprint, they all hands at jacking stations to pin spud cans and elevate to preload draft. The sea life on the lower leg chords and bracing can be very colourful but the smell on a sunsoaked day can be rather unpleasant.

Offshore Denmark "Tornado"

TheTamshee says: the weather offshore Denmark over the last week has been sunshine all the way until today, the rain clouds rolled in, then the troops spot a mini Tornado developing a few hundred meters from the NBW unfortunately the only camera close to hand was the Sony DSC-W90, which is not the greatest cyber-shot on the market-So the picture does not do the spectacular site justice.
The sea was calm, The sky was angry,
The clouds rolled In, Like a blanket of candy,
Then the clap of thunder, Stirs the Tornado to travel skywards,
Behold a magic moment.

Offshore Denmark "Rig Art"

TheTamshee says: safety is the big issue in the drilling business, while clearing some old lockers I came across some rig art skill-fully scribed by resident caricature artist Keith Brown a number of years ago. The general theme was "distractions can lead to injuries" on this occassion TheTamshee, Driller at that time was telling golfing tales. These posters were a good way of getting the serious issue's across in a amusing manner. Click on title link to check out some great artists with the sea and oil industry as their field of expertise. Enjoy

Offshore Denmark "Sunrise"

TheTamshee says: life offshore is good. Waking up to soak up this morning sunrise is worth a bag of Gold Krone

NBW @ Halfdan Alpha

TheTamshee says: the offshore industry is a surreal world to the families back home with little understanding of the work undertaken by kin-folk when transported by helicopter to the seasteading atmosphere that is the offshore industry. Rod, one of the Baker Hughes Intec Directional Drillers on board the Noble Byron Welliver has taken the time to put together this professional video footage of some of the various aspects of life offshore Denmark. Be patient, while waiting for this video to load, you won't be disappointed.

Esvagt FRB 15C

The newly developed FRB 15C is in fact several boats in one. Each boat has all equipment doubled up such as motor, electric systems, tanks and tubes-this is to ensure that service can be provided even if one component fails. Furthermore the boats are equipped with the best chairs and the best electronic equipment-as an example-plotter, electronic sea charts and AIS which is an automatic identification system. It means that the mother vessel and the FRB always are able to find each other even without using radar and that a helicopter can identify the FRB. The boats are produced in Denmark by different subcontractors.

Rescue Mission "M/S SILVA"

Cargo vessel M/S SILVA in distress due to engine breakdown and heavy list
Weather ESE 18 m/s, waves 3½ - 4 m significant equal max sea app. 7 meters 12 crew rescued by wet evacuation. Excellent cooperation between helicopter and vessel. More vessels involved as back-up. Operation performed by crew change vessel (not fitted as an ERRV) FRC launched and recovered 3 times. No injuries or near miss situations occurred.
STORY:
On the 22nd October 2003 at 0505 hours ESVAGT ALPHA receives a distress call from Cambodian vessel M/S SILVA. ESVAGT ALPHA is on her return to Esbjerg from crew change of ESVAGT standby/rescue vessels with 43 crew onboard. The SILVA carries a cargo of timber incl. a deck cargo. The vessel has a list of app. 35 - 40 degrees due to the deck cargo has shifted. The crew declines evacuation before daylight. As the crew onboard the SILVA apparently had no survival suits and only traditionally lifesaving appliances 12 survival suits were delivered from ESVAGT ALPHA by means of rescue helicopter. Between 08:35 and 08:58 12 crew members jumped into the sea, one by one in groups of three, to be picked up by the waiting FRC from ESVAGT ALPHA. TheTamshee says: the guys that work these rescue vessels are highly trained to respond to any emergency situation that takes place within there designated area. On a weekly basis we conduct Man Overboard drills to check preparedness and rescue times. If someone falls from the drilling rig, there is only a small window of opportunity to recover the individual prior to them being consumed by the cold waters. Click here to see the dramatic video footage of the M/S Silva rescue.

Energy Endeavour

The Energy Endeavour, jack-up type drilling unit under tight tow to stand off position at new location Halfdan Charlie in the Danish sector of the North Sea. The rig personnel jack down the legs to pin spudcans - to seabed. Then, the tugs run anchors to enable the Tow Master to maneuver the unit into final position alongside the unmanned satelite platform - when the spudcans are over the desired foot print, the legs are jacked down once again to make contact with the seabed and raise the hull out of the water until they have +/- 3 meter air gap. The rig is then loaded up with pre-load ( seawater ) pumped into tanks - this weights up the legs evenly to establish if the spudcans / footings are stable with minimal penetration. When the OIM / Tow Master are satisfied that all is well - the pre-load is dumped and the hull structure is jacked up to final elevation. To enable a rig to be move from one location to another the weather conditions have to be favourable, minimal sea swell and wind - over a period we call a weather window. Rig moving is regarded as a "High Risk" operation - many units have been lost because of changing weather conditions or failing to remain water tight throughout the voyage. As you can see from the picture the legs are extended to maximum height to reduce drag through the water but this also makes the unit more susceptible to listing and possible turn over. See title link for disasters over the years. Before & After shot below is the Adriatic IV jack-up and the Temsah ( TheTamshee ) gas platform off the Egyptain coast in August 2004

Rig Art "Georgescu Bogan"

TheTamshee says: Believe it or not but there is some talented arty folk working on board the NBW - these Black on White images have been skillfully pencil sketched by Georgescu, a young Romanian data engineer working for Datalog. The no colour theme gives observers the opportunity to imagine the curvy ladies posing in their favourite pastels. Enjoy !!

Heli-Copter Crash UK

Sixteen oil workers and two pilots who survived after their helicopter crashed into the North Sea were "thanking God for a miracle" as they were reunited with their families. Article by Telegraph Scottish correspondent Auslan Cramb.

TheTamshee says - having worked in the oil industry for many years, there is always concerns at the back of your mind that such a situation should arise. Thankfully on this ocassion it was what seems to be a text book escape - all offshore employees are well trained in helicopter escape techniques and sea survival but this is small comfort to the family left at home wondering if this could be there last flight.

It also reminded me of the pain / grief etched on the face of a work colleague while travelling home by helicopter the day after the Piper Alpha disaster in 1988 - the brother of my workmate, sadly perished in what Lord Cullen later discribed as a catalogue of errors.

Seasteading, Oil Community

Possible blue print for Seasteading structures, without the work ethic off course. No boss, no rich or poor, all friends no enemies. I wonder!

DUC North Sea

People often ask what it is like working offshore, but the answer can range from the simple one liner to the complexities of the industry. In years gone by it was a tough life indeed with little privileges. If the rig was stand alone, working on exploration or "Wild Cat" the bears were lucky to get a ship to shore phone call home only once a week, with the tarrif in the region of six pounds per minute. Not good if you are a family man with young kids. These issue's always raised tensions. Fortunately conditions have changed for the better with excellent facilities to keep the troops amused. And the Internet off course.

The Mushroom Cloud Effect

OOp,s has G.W. pushed the button on the way out the door, seems like it from this photo of our approach to new location, Halfdan BA wellhead platform. We continue to suck the earth dry of her rich resources to the benefit of all mankind. Ye that's right.