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Ok, when you have say that something is probably stupid

Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:20 pm
Posted by Schwaaz
Member since Sep 2009
7375 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:20 pm
then it probably is but I'm going to ask it anyway. Is there a flange that connects the riser the BOP and can they not unbolt it or cut the bolts to give them a clean connection to the Top Hat?

I have a can of WD40 and ball-peen hammer if they need it.
Posted by meauxjeaux2
watson
Member since Oct 2007
60283 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:22 pm to
no shite huh
Need one like this except big as a volkswagen.

Posted by Schwaaz
Member since Sep 2009
7375 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:25 pm to
If the saw can cut the riser then can it not cut bolts?

We (public) own an auto manuf. maybe they can build one big wrench the size of a Volkswagen but the warranty will be shitty.
This post was edited on 6/3/10 at 4:28 pm
Posted by Sam Waterston
Baton Rouge
Member since Sep 2008
2013 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:27 pm to
I was wondering the same thing, then bolt on another BOP and close the valves
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
40396 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:28 pm to
Well I know when I worked on jack-ups and we had to nipple up lots of riser spools hanging from a riding belt we would often use a hydraulic hammer wrench. Of course those weren't designed for use in water. I've wondered if they have something similar that is rated for use in 5,000 feet of water. It would be one hell of a hydraulic line from surface.
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
40396 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:32 pm to
I'm not sure what that flange on top the BOP is rated for though. It would likely need to be rated for 15,000 psi.
Posted by Schwaaz
Member since Sep 2009
7375 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:34 pm to
Just hook a new riser to it and let the oil rise into a tanker? No need to stop the flow if they get a clean connection with no water coming in.
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
40396 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 4:57 pm to
I was referring to someone who mentioned bolt another BOP on. I'm with you on bolting another riser on. There must be a reason they aren't going that route tho.
Posted by jeff967
Monroe, Louisiana
Member since Jan 2010
925 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:03 pm to
my guess is gubermet time
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
40396 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:13 pm to
Since none of us really know what the seal system they have looks like we're all taking stabs in the dark. It would not be very easy to land a flange on that other flange from a floating structure above. It would be bouncing all over and I could only imagine how hard it would be to stab a flange from 5,000 feet away on a boat and line the holes up.
Posted by nuwaydawg
Member since Nov 2007
2112 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:39 pm to


Unbolt that leftover riser flange without binding and pull it down with allthread.

But again I defer to redstick. What is the torque on those bolts. Can they be removed with the tools available?

I'm shady tree. Even though I worked in manufacturing for 25+ years with a BS in Biology from UGA. Go figure.

I want this spill stopped as well as the next guy and one thing I have learned from my working experience, is that there is NO STUPID SUGGESTIONS.

Initially, yeah, they can be stupid, but it starts people thinking. Ok, I never looked at that as a problem or I never looked at it that way...How about.....

A good engineer has bigger ears than ego.

An aside. This works great when you deal with inanimate processes and systems. Applying it to social issues is asking for trouble.
Posted by redstick13
Lower Saxony
Member since Feb 2007
40396 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 5:43 pm to
I'd estimate the torque on those bolts to be around 10,000 ft/lbs.
Posted by nuwaydawg
Member since Nov 2007
2112 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 6:09 pm to
quote:

I'd estimate the torque on those bolts to be around 10,000 ft/lbs.



120,000 inch/lbs.? I can't imagine.
Posted by GM4UA
Mobile, AL
Member since Nov 2008
268 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 6:22 pm to
quote:

I'd estimate the torque on those bolts to be around 10,000 ft/lbs.


Could they be cut off?

I admit Schwaz, I wondered the same thing. And if they could attach another BOP, why not instead just bolt on a super-high pressure valve and shut it there? I know there are probably lots of reasons on why they can't do it, but sitting here watching the diamond cutter the other night and seeing that close up of that flange and bolts, I couldn't help but wonder.
This post was edited on 6/3/10 at 6:25 pm
Posted by Tigerstudent08
Lakeview
Member since Apr 2007
5776 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 7:25 pm to
quote:

Since none of us really know what the seal system they have looks like we're all taking stabs in the dark. It would not be very easy to land a flange on that other flange from a floating structure above. It would be bouncing all over and I could only imagine how hard it would be to stab a flange from 5,000 feet away on a boat and line the holes up.

and you forgot the most important issue. Fluid is flowing out of the well with at least a 15000psi BHP. With the fluid being pushed out that fast, I would like to see you try and put something over it. The hydrostatic pressure above the seafloor is about 3000psi and that can't do anything to the flow. If you put anything right on top the BOP it is just gonna be blown off
Posted by offshoretrash
Farmerville, La
Member since Aug 2008
10713 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 7:39 pm to
quote:

If you put anything right on top the BOP it is just gonna be blown off


You put it on there open and then when secured you can close it. It will hold because I am sure they would load it up with blind rams.
Posted by Tigerstudent08
Lakeview
Member since Apr 2007
5776 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 7:44 pm to
The ID on a BOP is very small, especially compared to the OD. It has to much surface area so the fluid would make it impossible to sit directly on top. And then you have to get a gasket in there and line all the bolt holes up. Putting flanges on is tough enough on the rig floor, I cant imagine how hard it would be at 5000 ft and using ROV's with fluid pouring out
Posted by offshoretrash
Farmerville, La
Member since Aug 2008
10713 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 8:02 pm to
At 700,000lbs it would sit there but it would be very hard to do this.
Posted by Tigerstudent08
Lakeview
Member since Apr 2007
5776 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 8:06 pm to
700,000lbs?!? What BOP weighs 700,000lbs? and where do they get a crane that can lift this much? I am out on Petronius and neither of their cranes can lift this type of weight
Posted by Schwaaz
Member since Sep 2009
7375 posts
Posted on 6/3/10 at 8:10 pm to
Seems you could run guide wires through several of the bolt holes and guide it. Nothing's easy and we are just yapping about ideas.
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