Confirmed – BP Gulf Oil Spill BOP is Leaning! (Update 3)

  Posted by - June 11, 2010 at 12:16 am - Permalink - Source via Alexander Higgins Blog
Share
 

There has been speculation about the Blow Out Preventer leaning, which is why BP robots have been driving around with “inclometers”.

Today that is confirmed as I have recorded video footage of BP taking “bullseye” readings.

From http://www.leveldevelopments.com/subsea-bullseye-slope-indicator.htm

Subsea Bullseye Level and Slope Indicator
These subsea bullseye level and slope indicators are used to level or measure the angle of subsea structures and equipment. They are designed to be easily readable by ROV’s and subsea cameras, and have been used successfully on subsea projects down to 6000m (20,000ft). Our experience in designing and building circular bullseye type levels and inclinometers has resulted in a range of products whose performance and price cannot be matched. To place an order or for more information, please contact us with your requirements.

Subsea Bullseye Level and Slope Indicator PDF

This manufacturer has models that can measure tilts from 3 degrees to 15 degrees.

BOTTOM BOP Bullseye indicates the BOP is leaning – 06/10/2010 about 11:30 PM EST

Middle Bullseye indicates BOP is leaning – 06/10/2010 about 11:30 PM Est

Videos of BP taking the bullseye readings at 11:30 PM on 06/10/2010 EST.

Video of Middle Bullseye Reading.

Video of Bottom Bullseye Reading.

ROV image of the BOP indicates a tilt of 11 degrees (if sea floor is level)

It is possible that the BOP MRP Pipe was bent during the rig collpase.

However, BP is constantly monitoring the tilt using an inclinometer to measure how much it is leaning.

The fact the BP used the ROV’s and cleaned off these bullseyes shows that BP is concerned with the lean for one reason or another.

The Bullseyes can measure a tilt from 3 to 15% based off of similar models found online.

That fact that the ball on bottom bullseye is all the way to edge also raises some alarm.

Saturday, June 13th 2:34 AM I think I have found the manufacturer. It appears to be an I-Tech Bullseye. More information can be found here http://www.i-slope.com/subsea-bullseye-range.html. I will try to figure out what bullseye is being used here.

Wednesday, June 16th 10:40PM
I have received a response from the manufacturer about the measurements. It appears the original bullseye measurements indicate a lean of a little under 3%

Hi Alexander,

I can confirm that the parts in question look like ours and would be manufactured at our plant here in Scotland. The top picture is of a 0-2 degree slope indicator with 0.5 degree increments and the bottom one is a 0-5 degree with 1 degree increments. Going by the picture I would say the overall diameter of the slope indicator would be 350mm diameter.

Please let me know if you require any further help.

Best regards,
Mark

The bad news is there is a rumor that some people over at the oil drum are saying it now looks like the lean has increased up to about 15% and it is getting worse by the day.

Here’s some new screen shots of the leaning BOP (h/t to the BSC over at LATOC) .




Friday, June 18, 2010, 7:57 PM NOLA.com reports BP now confirms the BOP is leaning.

Oil Spill containment efforts could be putting strain on damaged well

Meanwhile, observers monitoring the video feeds from the robotic vehicles working on the sea floor have noticed BP measuring a tilt in the 40-ton blowout preventer stack with a level and a device called an inclinometer.

Odone, the BP spokesman, confirmed that his company has been monitoring the lean of the blowout preventer, which BP believes began tilting when the Deepwater Horizon rig sank and the riser pipe got bent. “That is tilting and has been tilting since the rig went down,” Odone said. “We believe that it was caused by the collapse of the riser.”

June 28th, 11:57 PM EST

New Bullseye Reading Indicates Lean Has Increased By Up to 1.5 Degrees Between June 10th and June 28th

This appears to confirm that the BOP is indeed falling over.

Related Posts

Post Navigation: