IXTOC I
Bahia de Campeche, Mexico 1979-Jun-03
On June 3, 1979, the 2 mile deep exploratory well, IXTOC I, blew out in the Bahia de Campeche, 600 miles south of Texas in the Gulf of Mexico. The IXTOC I was being drilled by the SEDCO 135, a semi-submersible platform on lease to Petroleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). A loss of drilling mud circulation caused the blowout to occur. The oil and gas blowing out of the well ignited, causing the platform to catch fire. The burning platform collapsed into the wellhead area hindering any immediate attempts to control the blowout. PEMEX hired blowout control experts and other spill control experts including Red Adair, Martech International of Houston, and the Mexican diving company, Daivaz. The Martech response included 50 personnel on site, the remotely operated vehicle TREC, and the submersible Pioneer I. The TREC attempted to find a safe approach to the Blowout Preventer (BOP). The approach was complicated by poor visibility and debris on the seafloor including derrick wreckage and 3000 meters of drilling pipe. Divers were eventually able to reach and activate the BOP, but the pressure of the oil and gas caused the valves to begin rupturing. The BOP was reopened to prevent destroying it. Two relief wells were drilled to relieve pressure from the well to allow response personnel to cap it. Norwegian experts were contracted to bring in skimming equipment and containment booms, and to begin cleanup of the spilled oil. The IXTOC I well continued to spill oil at a rate of 10,000 - 30,000 barrels per day until it was finally capped on March 23, 1980. Keyword: Boom, Corexit 9527, skimmer, manual removal, volunteers, blowout, fire, evaporation, blowout preventer, relief well, submers
Holy shit I had forgotten about that. 1979 and the same shit is going on now. The same Technology and the same ineptness. Over 30 years and still the same arguments,drill baby drill. It took over a year to stop that one. One of the things I keep harping on on my blog and in life, to anyone who will listen....We as a Nation,as a people do not learn. Not a damn thing. Same Wars, same lies, same fears and hate. Maybe we don't deserve any better. If we insist on being that ignorant of nature and each other, then FUCK US! My info is from wikepidea and a few other sites.
2 comments:
Frankly Mr.Tim .... your last paragraph hit's the nail on the head perfectly. We never pay atencion to shit until it hit's home, America is "Lalaland", "Disney World" land of overindulgence, addiction, false hope, intellectual stupidity, the "Land of Milkin Money" etc. But there come's a time when you must pay your due's, one must remember.
Actually I dont even recall that spill, and I lived in Texas (I dont think) and frequented Mexico in them year's fairly often (well, just across the border in the City of Neuvo Laredo) doing a lil business, and having alot of fun (many Mexicana girl's!). The part that said about the company having 50 worker's on the site, made me chuckle .... being a Texan, my first thought was .... one actual experienced person and 49 wetback convenient store day labour contractor's! :)
Informative posting Mr.Tim .... thanx Buddy!
BTW ... noticing your posting on the right about sending photo's .... I will when I learn how to .... I dont even have a bloody camera man! :)
RC
I always look forward to your comments. As far as pics if you have a cell phone that takes shots that would work too.
Later
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