Member Info for adoubleuk

JiffyBag,

Gracious, we really are going O/T here! Hope the LSE moderators will forgive that, but (a) I didn't start it and (b) they're probably used to O/T on the Hurricane BB by now!

" I reckon you were a Rocker given your taste in music"

Neither Mod nor Rocker! Not quite THAT old! Didn't have a driving licence at the time. Instead, was trying to get my head around 'Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Heart's Club Band', and marvelling at Cream. And Twiggy's miniskirts, etc.

I fall into the category of 'turn of the decade hippie', trying to catch up with things... Which I did with a vengeance.

But (under another thread), the Snail has mentioned the late great Frank Zappa. Strangely, of late, I've been listening to a lot of his stuff again (on vinyl). I've always found it helps when one's feeling under the weather. 'You can't do that on stage any more'. After a hard caving trip (ie many hours) it was always Zappa or the GD which went on the stereo when back home. Put the world back into a sort of 'normal' perspective...

If that makes nonsense.

Albi,

"Underbalanced drilling and downhole valves" I do sympathize that would have completely undone me

The thing is, though, I know all about that stuff. And I'm effin' glad I didn't get the job, because it's a disaster still ongoing in the Indonesian region.

Sometimes it's better to be 'away from it all'.. Even if one misses it....

Albi1

"Thank your lucky stars you don't have to interview for a job these days ..."

In close -on 40 years oilfield career, I think I only had about six 'formal' interviews.

One I remember well,. It was for Kuwait oil, held in some Mayfair place. There was a 'dress code'. I was in front of a 'panel' of six people, all in suits and ties as well.

Did my best, but found it hard talking about talking about 'underbalanced drilling' and downhole valves in such circumstances.

Didn't get the job, bit at least they payed my expenses. (It happened to include a night when EC was playing the RAH, so wasn't wasted time!).

Albi1,

"I wish when I was younger I'd been a true advocate of live in the 'now'."

Maybe we're going off-topic a bit, but maybe not, because it relates to the way one might look at one's investments.

Because 'when I was younger' I definitely lived in the 'now'. But there was an old saying amongst oilfield people, which was "Please God, send us another 'oilboom' and this time I promise I won't p*** it up against the wall".

Somehow (personally, and this is becoming anecdotal), I survived through four 'busts' and continued working, but the latest one is a killer. Because of my age. In the past, I worked for 'company-men' in their seventies and still going strong, still kept on because of their vast experience, and frankly because they loved the work. The route I intended to take. Bop 'til I drop. But 2014 killed that. And now, HR departments go for people (probably with family, debts, family, etc) in their 50's who will work for half the pay, but half the knowledge. But who cares? The drilling industry is half run by computer, anyway, these days. It's a lot slower than it was, and less dangerous.

But equally, I'm no Luddite. And still keep 'up to speed' technically, even if put out to pasture and 'not there', even if I'd love to be.

So have to 'live in the now', due to knowledge that there's no greener pasture elsewhere...

Wellwell,

"If however the world 'catches up' they will be unable to resist. Personally I think in 20 years time you'll agree but I understand why you view it with a valid degree of scepticism for now."

In 20 years' time my ashes will be part of new sediment on the seafloor. (Or if my will and testament is adhered to, in a very obscure underground streamway in France.) More likely in ten years' time, or less. So maybe you'll forgive my 'scepticism'. What it boils down to is that I couldn't care less. I live for now, not tomorrow.

Albi,

"I was very careful to disguise my complete lack of knowledge with the dual use of the the word 'assistance' - how dare you!"

Hey! I'd have to trawl back through the posts. But it was the intervention by 'McGee' which got me onto the notion of 'tug assist' which he suggested. I know that sounds a rather rude phrase, but in maritime terms and in the context it isn't.

No offense intended, if any was taken.

Wellwell,

"Th point of the posts was about the morality of blue chip investment companies continuing long-term to invest in a sector that damages the environment, not about oil demand. The suggestion being that more ethically minded funds will instead invest elsewhere."

Huh? Big investment companies are interested in making money, not ethics. Think Dick Turpin. 'Ethics' are very subjective things, anyway, depending on one's own belief-systems. The cash-register doesn't lie, however.

Have you invested in Tesla? Have you seen a nice return on it? (Without trading, of course.)

What is the 'carbon footprint' of Tesla?

Biffa,

"wellwell, I think you are on the money with your Olympic Zeus post at 20:09. Nice one."

Yes and no.

This is 'shipwatching' at its best! Something which makes this BB fun, but also occasionally provokes a response from the company.

I mean, Wellwell's mention of the powerful anchor-handling deck-winch on the boat. What were they going to do, drag the thing up over the roller?

In fact, if this little unexpected 'intervention' was an inspection of the buoy, maybe it would merit an RNS after all...

Wellwell, Sprucegoose,

Good posts, both of you!

Let's face it, none of us know what the fuck was done out there this morning, except the boat went there, did something, and is now on the way back to Norway.

And (now almost) obviously it had nothing to do with tug-assist for a hook-up, though even that remains a question in the air...

It's good to see this BB back on track though, without completely O/T imbeciles wandering in with stuff about electric cars and stuff like that.

Oh, what can one say?

"Annie, get your gun"?

Quick on the draw as ever!

(*_*)

zzzclark,

"Let's hope for no RNS on the findings at the buoy."

I certainly wouldn't expect one!

" Either way it's just a matter of staying patient, and if the SP drops I will be adding more."

You're a 'new poster'. And if you're adding at these levels (still 'bargain bin' for those with spare cash imho) a newcomer to Hurricane.

" It's a pleasure to see the debate / banter here btw.."

Compare / contrast with numerous other 'small' O&G BB's! Hurricane is the 'oilman's share'. (I say that without wanting to appear 'ramping' at all.) There are a lot of very knowledgable people communicating about it on this BB (but also on advfn and elsewhere), and personally I still find it extraordinary that it's not better-known. Conversation between the 'techies' can sometimes become heated, however, but I think it's amongst 'big boys' who can take that. We're not people camping on roadsides, holding up trucks, and who don't know the difference between a BOP and a mudpump.

Welcome aboard.

Wellwell,

"Yes I believe and suspect they are already made up to the buoy too. You’re suggesting I think otherwise are you?"

Maybe I mis-read your post regarding the function and reason of ROV-intervention on the buoy.

Let's face it, we're essentially working in the dark on a lot of things here, trying to take some sparse clues here and there and reverse-engineer 'em to get a good handle on 'our investment'! If the company won't tell us straight, well we've got to dam well figure them out ourselves.

slipanchor,

"Re your post 17.36 that is exactly what happened,"

So I extend my apology to you as well. (see previous post)

I have absolutely no idea what the current 'buoyant weight' of the buoy is, with mooring-lines attached. We do know that the thing weighs approx 1000 tons in air, but that's meaningless in the context.

However, I refuse to belive (unless proved otherwise) that the OZ went out there to lift it to surface for some sort of 'inspection'.

Instead, it's all something to do with 'positioning'.

Either way, it remains 'good news'. It's not as if 'nothing's happening'. Some sort of 'control check' has been made, to ensure that when the next latch-up attempt is made, certain factors maybe not taken into account previously, will be.

And contrary to what SotB (and others) may have inferred earlier, I stick to my belief that the 'run at it' a fortnight ago was nothing but a 'trial run', and equally 'positioning-related'. So only one actual 'hookup attempt' has been done so far. Without success, but seemingly with no harm done, and nothing but some 'remedial work' required. (Maybe, as suggested by others, replacement of some winch-wire.)

The work 'remedial' is significant, of course. Not 'repair'. No harm done.

Wellwell (and zzclark)

I suspect I owe an apology somewhere.

I've just received a PM from someone who was following things closer than I. Seems I was wrong. For a relatively brief period of time this morning, the OZ was over the buoy. Long enough to 'hook' it, take some tension, run the ROV and check exact headings, or what? I don't know.

We're all just guessing now, so will have to see what happens next.

mrJimV,

" That was scary times when that happened ,we dont want to see those times again ."

No, so take advantage while you still can, with the 'slight upturn'!

I'm now shoved into the 'too old' category when the occasional job offer occurs. It ain't nice, 'cos I could still outrun some of the other ponies.

BNB,

"Those that are clueless in the Markets or need reassurance on a share - Post Continuously"

But how about those who post (almost) continuously, but aren't clueless nor need reassurance (like myself)?

Hurricane's ongoing operations are about the most 'fun' thing I know of at the moment. A fascinating technical oilfield story ongoing. And it's why this BB is fascinating, as well, because there are a lot of technically-knowlegable people who post, trying to read between the few (sparse) lines available.

As for the SP, it will do what it does. But any genuine PI with an IQ greater than their hat-size will make their own decisions in that respect and ignore the noise from the sooth-sayers in that respect!

Wellwell,

"There will be no ROV involved in my opinion. The ROV panel will be for the SURF install phase to ballast the buoy whilst submerged. Once picked up inside the hull of the AM I believe they will ‘stab’ into the same receptacle with an air line / water line and adjust the ballast of the buoy for operations."

OK. I won't get into a technical argument with you here, because I don't have the 'tech specs' of the whole nine yards, and (I suspect) neither do you!

In fact, there's quite a lot of the tech side we don't really know. Hurricane's newsflow has improved enormously over the last couple of years, but on the 'strictly tech' side they keep everything as much on the QT as possible. Which is to my mind a good thing. Otherwise one ends up with people who wouldn't know a donkey-dick from a monkey-board coming up with all sorts of fantastic ideas!

Have you seen the stuff today about how some protestors called out the fire brigade because of an 'explosion' at Rathlin's W.Newton wellsite? Turned out it was a water-hose had come apart, and the 'explosion' heard was the hose-coupling hitting the post-hole-digger's control cab! Yup, something which will merit an internal HSE investigation (did someone ommit to safety-clip the coupling?) but nowt more than that.

My understanding (or rather belief) is that the risers (and umbilicals) are already attached to the buoy.

But I may be wrong.

Biffa,

"Only joking."

J-C on a bicycle! You scared me there!

I read your post including stuff like

"It's a right bummer because I listened to thestreet and sold out my entire holding (every single last share) at under 45p and I'm now in a right old pickle"

And

"I wish he'd told me to sell at 47p when he did. There's me thinking he's the charitable type. "

.....and I almost responded, before reading further. Because I consider you to be a 'reasonable type'. But luckily, I did read further! And you were joking.

" Never ever take buying/selling advice from a poster on a BB."

That's good advice, though. Because this is nevertheless AIM, and this is a volatile share for now. And there are some people out there professionally trading. And who CAN influence the SP (despite the Mcap), through having good accounts with brokers. I'm not talking outfits like CA here. They can be individuals (not to be confused with genuine PI's). If they've got a good line of credit, it'll work. Plus never forget the spread-betting companies: they can tilt the roulette-wheel significantly, to their own benefit, of course.

Even 'LTH PI's' might trade, occasionally. I do. But based on my own decisions and looking at trends, not TA charts, and trusting my instincts. And also company news. But not fly-by-night BB posters.

Good post, Biffadog.

Jim,

I'd like to second Escargot's reply to you which read:

"many happy returns Jim. Ony 16 months behind you , let.me know what 60's like ! Probably just as crap as 58."

Except you youngsters shouldn't complain. My 60th coincided with Brent going down into the low 30's, millions of oilfield (and related) people being laid off, and 'not hiring' signs appearing on office doors everywhere...

zzzclark,

Having just posted, I've nevertheless re-read your post yet again. So please don't think I'm saying you're 'wrong', just that the timings just don't fit. I can just about imagine (though this is going into never-never land) the boat suddenly disappearing from the 'radar' (why?), going up a few miles to the buoy, latching it and taking a bit of a pull, deploying an ROV, taking some video, then unlatching, going back to her earlier position, suddenly re-apperaing on the 'radar', and then heading home, all within a few hours.

But that's REALLY stretching the imagination!

Plus it doesn't explain the 'DD14' bit, which (if my interpretation is right) means the vessel's on charter for a fortnight.

Does the 'shipwatching spy network' stretch as far as Bergen? It reaches Dubai and Rotterdam, so why not? Maybe someone will hear something! :-)