First Impressions

Well it's been a long time. My apologies, but after an AMAZING vacation in England, a few frustrating days working on an End of Well report back in Louisiana, a quick restorative trip to Florida, and then another vacation in New England, I'm finally back on the oil rig circuit.

I barely know what to talk about; so much has happened!

I'm on a new rig as of today. I was supposed to arrive yesterday, but bad weather grounded all the helicopters and I got to spend a hellish 8 hours in their waiting room with nothing but coffee for my empty stomach and nothing but my ebook reader with its rapidly depleting battery to pass the time. But after a few more hours wait again this morning, I was on my way out to a DEEPWATER rig.

Deepwater is a significant distinction. I was offshore before, but I was on the Shelf (did I mention my previous rig was in 12 ft of water?). Deepwater is expensive, and typically much more profitable. It is also a VERY high-stakes and intense environment with virtually no room for error or delay. I don't know the operation costs of this particular well, but a comparable one ran at $11 per second.

The first thing I noticed when I arrived: the rig sways. I've been on lots of boats and cruise ships before, but I don't recall the sort of gently undulating motions I get here. It strengthens and weakens, and so far has not been strong enough to do more than close some previously ajar doors. I have been fighting a slight feeling of nausea all day, however, and I can only hope that it will pass soon.

The other most striking thing about working in deepwater: the water itself is magnificently blue. Back on the Shelf the water was an unhandsome brownish-green. Here it is a deep and shining cerulean, although I suppose this will change slightly depending on the cloudiness of the day. But when I first spied the color of the water, I could barely tear my eyes away for all that I was holding up our orientation tour.

I'm back on night-shift now, so I'm trying to adjust to the 6pm-6am schedule. Luckily I came just after we stopped drilling, so I have no work to do until they start again on Sunday after they're finished running casing. Wish me luck!