Posted on 05/11/2010 8:33:39 AM PDT by Real Cynic No More
BP, Transocean and Halliburton pointed fingers over who bears responsibility for the oil-rig explosion. At hearings Tuesday, Halliburton is expected to describe a failure to place a cement plug within the well before withdrawal of drilling "mud" that kept gas from escaping. Two rig workers corroborated this account.
It appears from the planned testimony that BP requested, and received, an ok from the federal Minerals Management Service to defer installing the concrete plug until after the drilling mud was removed, allowing seawater to replace the mud. This was contrary to both 'standard practice' and the well construction plan which specified that the concrete plug would be installed prior to removal of the mud. The mud has both weight and viscosity that prevents high pressure gas from bubbling up through it in any appreciable amount. Anyone knows that gas will easily bubble up through water, especially if under high pressure.
Although I'm only a lowly civil engineer and not a mechanical or petroleum engineer, I do understand most of the basic laws of physics.
Past articles here on FR dealt with the favoritism shown to BP by the obama administration, especially the removal of the requirement of an environmental impact assessment. So this episode really is becoming obama's Katrina.
I remember some other posts a few months ago that stated that in one of obama's advisors' meetings with some outside experts, that an issue was raised regarding something the administration wanted to do, but was told that it couldn't be done because it would violate the laws of physics. And his advisors stated something to the effect that: That's ok, we are in power now, so we'll just have that law repealed. I guess this is what they meant.:-)
I am not suggesting conspiracy. But I've been in business for 35 years and know that sometimes people take short cuts (usually to save time and or money) and screw up
Look for the Administration to point the Finger at Halliburton...Anything to protect BP and hurt the opposition.
(BTW, as Former Halliburton Cementer, removing the drilling mud in this case would be a horrid decision...one I wouldn’t have accepted if I was running the job...meaning halliburton is going to get stung on this one)
Before liberals start screeching about Haliburton...
Guess who got Obama’s no-bid contract
President Obama has awarded a no-bid contract to KBR Inc. for $568 million.
That’s more than 20,000 times the maximum he set for a no-bid contract.
KBR is the old Brown and Root and Kellogg companies, which merged with Halliburton when Dick Cheney headed Halliburton and later Halliburton spun off KBR.
From Bloomberg News: “KBR Inc. was selected for a no-bid contract worth as much as $568 million through 2011 for military support services in Iraq, the Army said.”
Thanks much for posting the link. It appears the WSJ article quoted from this one, or vice versa.
Is KBR somehow implicated on this rig? I haven’t heard they had any contract with BP.
Probably due to no communication after a personell change. No one would do that on purpose.
BP, Transocean and Halliburton pointed fingers over who bears responsibility for the oil-rig explosion. At hearings Tuesday, Halliburton is expected to describe a failure to place a cement plug within the well before withdrawal of drilling “mud” that kept gas from escaping. Two rig workers corroborated this account.
Government approval for the change of plans?? Hmnnnn...
Wonder if we’ll ever hear about that?
Sounds like Transocean is not denying this change... they’re just saying this change is not what caused the failure.
Is that news? KBR’s been providing contractor services for a LONG time in Iraq, and they do great work. I see the clowns they use in Afghanistan, and I pray for KBR to take over!
So, I take your repeat of the head paragraph of the story as a “No.”
So why the rant on KBR operations in Iraq in a thread about the well blowout in the Gulf?
What rant?!
Gulf Spill Halliburton: Company Worked On Rig 20 Hours Before Explosion
Halliburton Could Be at Fault for Oil Spill
Halliburton oil spill | Is Halliburton to blame for Gulf disaster? May 4, 2010 ...
Many congressional and legal inquiries are beginning to wonder if Halliburton’s processes were to blame for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill...
Oversight of Oil-Rig Equipment Draws Scrutiny
And there is this also on Google:
Interior Plans to Split Minerals Management Service
**********************************EXCERPT***********************************
The tiny agency currently plays dual roles, focusing on collecting money as well as on ensuring the safety of oil drilling in federal waters and land. Some former employees have said that amounts to a conflict-of-interest, as employees must focus on keeping oil revenue flowing while also focusing on safety.
Former regulators and oil executives say the MMS has shifted most of the job of crafting safety regulations to the oil industry over the last decade, setting broad performance goals instead.
Halliburton Now Linked To Deepwater Oil Spill
Halliburton now is involved in the Deepwater oil spill off the American coast in the Gulf of Mexico. Halliburton was responsible for sealing with cement the oil extracting drill a mile below the Gulf surface. Halliburton said the final cementing of the oil well and pipe had been completed 20 hours before the blowout last week. Cement fills the gaps between the pipe and the ocean floor.
Dick Cheney’s Halliburton implicated in BP’s Deepwater oil spill
Deepwater Horizon oil spill: Is this Halliburton’s Katrina
Halliburton Deepwater Horizon Oil SPill
So... again...
Why bring up KBR operations in Iraq?
No, it’s not. I said that liberals would be screeching about Halliburton and I was right!
Yet, Obama, the hypocrite gave Halliburton a no bid job just like Pres. Bush. I’m sorry it’s all over your head so why don’t you just stop reading it.
I happen to love Halliburton. They do a damn good job whereever they work. but liberals need a punching bag...again.
It was a bogus email making the rounds... SNOPES
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