Member Info for adoubleuk

daltry,

"Slipa -
Thank you, Sir, for your vigilance."

Firstly, I too would like to thank 'slipanchor' for his shipwatching diligence, and the (very pertinent) information he's just given.

"Not really sure how to interpret the info though.... No doubt there are 'expert' opinions..."

I'll give you my interpretation, because with my acquired decades' worth of experience, (though I still would never have the immodesty to advertise myself as an 'expert' in anything, because I still learn something new every day), it sticks out like a sore thumb.

With two PSV's alongside, DST is obviously finished, and now it's 'tidying up' time. This is the last well of the current campaign. The rig will soon be coming off contract to Hurricane, and going to wherever it's going next. So there's a lot of subcontractor third-partystuff to be backloaded for transport back to town, 'clearing the decks', so to speak (literally). Not least of which being the DST test-spread equipment: a lot of bulky loads.

Essentially, when the rig gets 'demobbed' from this well, the only stuff remaining onboard will be that belonging to Transocean themselves. Which includes the kitchen sink, but not (for instance) the Company-Man's computer.

So it'll be 'busy-busy' out there, especially with a good weather-window, even if downhole operations are still ongoing.

Or at least, that's my take on things. Thanks again, Slipanchor!

"I'm just going to enjoy the miserable w/e !"

Try to do that. The weather where I am is still horrid. Plus I've just phoned the semi-Spanish restaurant 500 yards from my hotel and they DON'T have a spare table 'til ten, at which time I'll be concentrating on a serious card-game instead. So I'll have to eat at the casino, and the food there isn't exactly stunning. Drat. Or maybe I'll wander into the bowling-alley place next door (which I've never set foot in), to see if they may provide a burger. Or given the location, some oysters.

Everything's shaping up nicely, despite the weather. Think positive.

Murray604,

"I don't recall reading any information regarding suction piles/ anchors being mentioned, I think this is a case of all the so called experts on the board taking a guess at what's there and passing this on as fact, more than happy to be proven wrong (as I say just no memory of this ever being mention, and don't see why they would need to use them)."

You're wrong. In the Environmental Impact Statement document (possibly still on the company website, but I'm not going to do your work for you and go look for it, 'cos I've got a printed copy at home), there were pages dedicated to the two possible mooring options. Piles or anchors. Also, there was more stuff published by the company while the installation was done.

"Its far more likely they used hammered piles, these are pretty standard for fpso's "

As said before, I'm not going to do your research for you, but I do believe they were hammered as well. Can't remember, and frankly don't care, either way.

But I don't believe you are really so bored with the subject, otherwise you wouldn't have taken the time to post on the subject! ;-) To a lot of people, an anchor (or a pile) is just a bit of pig-iron planted in or on the seabed. But to others, it's quite a fascinating bit of technology in itself. And over the years here, I've come to learn that there are a number of 'genuine investors' (met a few of them) who know very little about oilfield technologies, but have spent their lives in different 'tech' environments, and gleefully lap up what knowledge they can acquire from others, just to get a 'feel' for the thing.

Hey. I know someone who's involved in professional competitive cycling. But get him onto the subject of handlebars, and which is best for a particular sort of race, and you'd better be sure to be sitting comfortably, with a long (preferably strong) drink in front of you. Because a two hour monologue is coming.

And whatever you do, don't get a bunch of cave-divers into a discussion about the best second-stage valve is best. Because that'll go on all night.

Sometimes 'simple things' aren't as simple as they may seem at first glance.

This is the weekend, and LSE is kind enough to allow us some O/T. And this sort of discussion is far more fun than the 'buy now!' 'sell now!' sort of rubbish we have to put up with during the week.

persimmon,

"Regarding Oil and Gas. There will be no more major decisions made now until after the election. "

The OGA has nothing whatsoever to do with politicians, 'elected ministers', or other tomfoolery like that. I suggest you do a quick bit of google research into that body's status, and structure.

PDSMP,

" I read your post about Humbers financial situation. You refer to a legal wrangle “between partners”. But is it?"

I don't know. As I said, it's just speculation on my part. But nevertheless a possibility that shouldn't (imho) be ignored.

"It is the OGA that should ensure all partners are financially able to progress as I understand it and the OGA have the power to remove a defaulting partner from the license and offer their percentage to the other partners as long as they commit to providing the funding required to progress. "

I didn't know about this. But is it actually true? A lot seems to revolve around that word 'should' that you used. Is it an obligation. Is it what actually happens?

Genghis,

"$61.71 close, according to live charts. As long as it stays above or around $60, no worries at all."

True. But if you remember, two or three years ago, Hurricane predicated (not a typo) their costings an profits on a $50 / bbl price, and things were still hunky dory like that. The extra ten bucks is just icing on the cake.

Ecosselibre,

"Beautiful morning up here in the Northern Colony - just a wee bit chilli with bonny blue skies. "

Lucky you. There are rare occasions when I envy you people who live up there. Mind you, when I myself lived there (Grampian region) there was one year I completely missed the summer. I was in the bathroom at the time.

It's inconsequential, and nothing to do with Hurricane Energy (but it's the weekend) but the wzather here in SW France, 20 km from the coast, is lousy and depressing. Grey skies, drizzling rain. The view out of my hotel window is of pine trees (with water dripping from them), a bowling / billiard place, the casino, and a motorway, with naturally the traffic passing making sloshy sounds. At least my car, sitting outside, is getting a much-needed wash: it usually (when I'm not on the road) lives in an underground carpark. The sort of weather to make one feel like just going back to bed. But I'm not tired any more, so I won't.

Ah, the life of a semi-pro poker player! Just like the oilfield, it can be a dark and lonely job, but I suppose someone's got to do it. And just like the oilfield, if one has the right mentality, it has its own perverse sort of 'romance' attached, as well.

Think I'll now tune into youtube and try to find some music by Tom Waits, to suit the mood!

:-))

topteam,

"Why does Subsea Manifolds / Structures have piles at each corner ??"

When you sit in one place for a long time, especially if it's on a hard surface, you're liable to get piles.

SG2,

"when people can't express their views on issues, Pipedragger, you get things like DWH. "

I'm just out of bed, logged in, and read this. Tried hitting the 'reccommend' thing ten times, but it only shows up once.

Big 10 - 4, anyway.

BlooBird,

"Happy St. Andrews Day to Albi1 and all the other Scots on this board (I don't know all your names .. sorry)."

Thank you! Even though I'm not Scottish by birth, I do happen to be an 'Andrew'. And my grandmother (paternal side) hailed from the Isle of Harris, in the Outer Hebrides, (ah! that Lewisian Gneiss!), plus others further back were Scots.

It's funny. Here in France (where I live) every day of the years is some sort of 'saint's day', and theyre mentioned in most calendars. And for people who keep up with such things, and are of a 'traditional' mindset, it's not unusual for them to wish 'joyeuse annivairsaire' to anyone they know with the name of the relavent day's saint, or even offer them a small present.

When I roll into the casino tonight, I'll remind them of what day it is! Bet they'll give me a free apéritif !

rodster,

I don't understand the second part of your post:

"Why not look why no drill prior to placing"

Would you care to expand on that? To my knowledge, no further drilling was scheduled to take place on WN (or elsewhere) before the placing.

'Getting things wrong' is not simply the preserve of we grockles, the PI's. Institutions can get it wrong, as well. I remember a huge scandal back in 2005 involving an AIM-listed oil company (who I won't name) and an oilwell in Greece. And the repercussions continued for months afterwards, especially in the FT's 'Prufrock' column. And the II's involved lost a heck of a sight more than 25 million.

The 'Humber situation' only emerged HERE, because of a report issued by Egdon, and AFTER the placing. I have no doubt that the II's who bought in did all 'due diligence' as regards RBD. But will that have gone so far as to check on the financial situation of two private companies who are joint partners in just ONE of the projects in Reabold's portfolio? Maybe not. (Though understand that I underline the 'maybe'. I'm not casting aspertions of dereliction of duty at anyone, and indeed the stuff I wrote in my Thursday post on the UJO BB might be completely wrong.)

However, I'm a little bit miffed that the SP of a company I bought into (RBD) is showing a paper loss for me, that all the operational gung-ho seems to have disappeared, and newsflow has diminished to a mere trickle, including total irrelavencies such such as 'Directors' buys'. Don't forget that a certain JP bought shares in his own company (SOU) in an attempt to save the thing from freefall. Not that it helped.

I'm not 'deramping'. Just thinking (and writing) aloud because I do wonder if I may not just bite the bullet and sell at a loss, even if there's no shame in that. Also, I don't 'distrust' the two CEO's. They seem like OK blokes. But maybe they've got themselves into an unexpected pickle, not of their own making, but related to the fact that they're OK, whereas some other people may not be.

'Charity' like providing cash to cash-strapped projects is all very well, but if one doesn't have the clout to ensure there's a payback, it's risky, and a bit like pi**ing oneself while wearing dark trousers. One might get a warm feeling, but nobody notices... Until it starts to smell a bit.

Olderand wiser,

I'm now back in my hotel, and using my computer. And I've found the post to which you referred. It may be unwise for me to re-post it here, as LSE's moderators deleted the entire thread, which became a bit heated, and was controversial to start with. But if anyone wants to read my comments, all they have to do is click on my pseudonym, and scroll back to 12:09 in my 'posting history'.

I'd nevertheless like to remind anyone who does so that it's opinion and personal speculation only, not gospel.

Wellwell,

"They are anchors. Whether they are piles or not is irrelevant in relation to their purpose."

Yes, I suppose I'll grudgingly have to concede that point, even though it's splitting hairs a bit.

However, when the 'Environmental Statement' was published (of which I have a nice printed copy, sent to me by Hurricane), the details of the mooring system hadn'been finalised, and there remained a decision to be made between using drag-anchors or piles. Finally, it was piles.

I don't know what the reasons were for choosing piles. Because they're more difficult and expensive to install than anchors. But there's one big difference between the two. No matter how hefty, an anchor can drag. Whereas it'd take a large atom-bomb to move a pile, let alone the nine that the AM's buoy is tethered to.

Olderandwiser,

Please feel free to repost my message of yesterday over on UJO. I'm on my phone, so can't do so myself. But you may not be able to either, because it's been 'disappeared ', along with the rest of the rather controversial thread. Seemingly someone later became offensive, was reported, so the whole lot's gone.

MTV,

"DESPERATION......."

Is what I felt while stuck in traffic on the Bordeaux ring-road about an hour ago. Half an hour to cover ten miles. Enough to make a man eat his bairns, as you folk up in the North like to say.

But now nicely esconced in my hotel, 400 yards away from the casino at Gujan-Mestras, THE poker-hub of France's west coast, about to trot there for supper in the restaurant and then play cards for about seven hours, hopefully making a nice profit. 'Cos I don't drive 200 miles for the fun aspect, nor the scintillating company, which quite often isn't.

Yes, I'm a really desperate sort of person.

You take care of yourself, now, and beware people in The Grill with funny handshakes.

DC,

No, MTV said I was the board's Super Troll. And you know, he may be right. Because I eat goats like himself for breakfast.

I like the way he says he knows what's in the next RNS. I guess one of his buddies passed him a copy in The Grill.

"maybe, just maybe, Lancaster has actually been producing oil and selling it to BP by the tanker every few weeks, maybe even producing above guidance for the past 6 months." (writes Cebo)

For those who attended Dr T's presentation last night. Did he mention recent production figures? Did he say anything about tests regarding inter-well 'read-across', possibly involving shutins? Or did you all have to sign an NDA beforehand?

Where have all the Trolls gone?

slipanchor,

"Today is the worst day winds18 gusting 25knots"

The 'worst'? I've never worked WoS, just N. Sea regarding UK waters. But 18 kt winds gusting 25 sounds absolutely marvellous. Don't need to superglue your hardhat to your head to keep it from flying away...

casapinos,

"Now you may regard this as proof positive of your wildest hopes, I on the other hand will reserve judgement on such unsubstantiated tittle-tattle."

Myself, I tend to believe this story from your source, as a number of elements it contains ring true. Firstly, the office-boy was riding a bicycle. And the traffic and roads in that area are so dreadful, a bike is by far the fastest means of transport. Also the bridge over the river at Lower Eashing is in such a perilous state that crossing it in a car is always something of an adventure.

The requirement for HB pencils (rather than ink pens or felt-tipped markers) is significant. Because if a map of an oilfield is drawn in pencil, it can be easily rubbed out and a new one drawn. And that might happen a few times, because as we all know, big oilfields have this habit of growing bigger. Did the young man also put in an advance order for some A3 - sized paper, by any chance?

The specific request for a 12-digit calculator also has meaning, I believe. Because oilmen are notoriously superstitious, so a 13-digit calculator might bring bad luck. And Rymans doesn't stock 14-digit calculators, even if that might be what was really needed.

Please buy your 'source' two or three 'drams' the next time you see him, thanking him for the good work.

Mr Toad,

For someone without direct personal knowledge of the industry, that's imho a very good summary of the way things are. Though if I may, I'd like to insert a note of caution in regard to your last paragraph, which contains a major assumption, which may or may not be true. Without wishing to appear at all 'negative', though.

We don't know (or at least, I personally don't!) exactly what's going on out in the field right now. Other than (quick 'shipwatching' glance) the Hermit Horizon is alongside the rig. Which indicates that the weather's OK. It also follows from that that if the well is still under test, it's in a 'shutin' phase, and not flowing / flaring. Or if testing is finished, it's not weather conditions maybe causing problems for the crew in regard to retrieving the test string and its assorted components from the well.

The other day I posted with a 'definition' of when DST testing can be considered 'completed', which is when everything related is back at surface. And of course, until that's achieved, the company can't properly issue an RNS to that effect. This gives them some handy 'breathing space'.

It also seems logical to surmise (now it's me making assumptions!) that the company will need some time to process the data obtained, so that the RNS (when it comes) is as complete and accurate as possible. Why publish an 'interim' half- c*** thing when by taking a couple more days, they can give the whole nine yards? Of course, the upcoming weekend helps with this.

My gut feeling (and it's nothing more than that) is that testing is quite possibly finished, by now, and successfully. Circumstantial evidence to support that feeling being that our faithful 'flarewatchers' out at sea in the area (whose 'reports' I see no reason to doubt) haven't reported a flare for the last 36 hours, and that Dr T was back in London to give his talk last night, and was seemingly relaxed and in good humour.

So the bottom line is, for me personally, for what little it's worth, and without wishing to influence anyone else's thinking, is that the lack of an RNS today doesn't bother me in the least. I've already made two incorrect calls in the unofficial 'RNS sweepstake', the first being for last Monday, and then maybe yesterday, but what the heck? Being wrong didn't cost me anything! :-)

Maybe this upcoming Monday. But I won't be getting up early for it, 'cos I'll be a couple of hundred miles away from home in a hotel room, having probably only got to bed at five in the morning...