Nearly 2 weeks later, crews still trying to control Alaska well blowout

DOES SHELL OIL COMPANY OWN BETTER EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY OR EMPLOYEES THAT COULD GAIN CONTROL OF A BLOWOUT DRILLING RIG IN FROZEN ALASKA?

DOUBT IT. NOTHING HAS BEEN DEMONSTRATED.

YET SHELL PLANS TO DRILL OFFSHORE ARCTIC ALASKA IN 2012 WITH LIKE EQUIPMENT, TECHNOLOGY AND EMPLOYEES WHICH UNDOUBTEDLY ARE NOT ANY BETTER TO INSURE THEY COULD REGAIN CONTROL OF A BLOWOUT IN FREEZING CONDITIONS - BECAUSE THE BLOWN OUT DRILLING FLUIDS ARE FROZEN ON/IN THE RIG PREVENTING BASIC OPERATIONS... WHO WOULD THINK YOU NEED TO PLAN FOR FROZEN DRILLING FLUIDS IN ARCTIC ALASKA.... NOT GOVERNMENT REGULATORS?


The south end of the well pad where Repsol's well blowout occurred on Feb. 15, 2012. W. Ghormley, Alaska Dept. of Environmental Conservation

More than 12 days after a well blowout in Alaska's Arctic oil fields, crews are still trying to control the well.

On Feb. 15, a drilling contractor for Repsol, a Madrid-based oil major starting its first winter of exploratory drilling in Alaska, apparently hit a "shallow-gas hazard," or a pocket of high-pressure gas. No oil was spilled, workers were evacuated safely, and the rig was quickly shut down to avoid ignition.

The well ceased flowing the next day, but preparations to bring the well under control "are ongoing," according to the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation.

Crews have removed drilling mud and contaminated snow from areas around the well to improve access for workers to clean up and repair the drilling rig, according to state environmental regulators. The following update was provided Sunday afternoon from the Department of Environmental Conservation:

Response crews continue 24-hour operations to steam thaw and remove drilling mud from the drilling rig in order to access the essential drilling rig components needed for the well-kill operation.

Repsol reports that another 174 barrels (7,308 gallons) of liquids (thawed drilling mud and water) were shipped offsite for disposal in the past day, bringing the total to 1,028 barrels (43,176 gallons) of liquids that have been manifested and shipped offsite. Much of the liquid being collected is condensed water from the steam used to thaw the frozen drilling mud. One hundred and twenty five cubic-yards of solid waste were also manifested and shipped offsite (Saturday).

Bottom line: "Cleanup cannot safely begin until the well is under control," according to state regulators.

http://www.alaskadispatch.com/article/nearly-2-weeks-later-crews-still-trying-control-alaska-well-blowout