Oil ships and whathave you thread. (moved)

What do you do offshore, King?

I am but a humble mechanic, on an oil survey seismic ship.

I have worked on one or two seismic vessels when they have been in port, servicing the 200/300 bar compressors they use, its very interesting how they do it all.

I wouldn't mind a permanent position doing something like that, a bit of compressor and gun work.

Oddly enough, my job for 20 years was looking after those compressors. but a year ago my position disappeared and I've been bumped down to 'gun mechanic'. A simple job, almost mindless in its monotony, but I'm hoping to retire soon, if they'll lay me off and give me a 'package'.

The oil industry is in tatters, biggest downturn ever, 40% of our ships have been shut down this last year or so, 400+ people laid off.

You could always consider the North Sea as a mechanic if you were that way inclined, the gas compressors are enormous by seismic standards but the theory is the same.

As in your game though, there are a lot of good people chasing only a few jobs.

I can officially retire now, aged 55, but I'm waiting for the company to push me out, as I get an extra six months salary severance that way.

Life in the PI is so good and comfortable now, I bitterly resent having to go back to work every ten weeks.

Ah. My wifes friends hubby is a rig mechanic on land rigs.

What gases do you compress to 300bar and why?

Which ship, KH?

On the seismic survey vessels they tow behind them torpedo shaped vessels full of 200 bar air, they release the air in one go which sends shock waves out that bounce off the sea bed, they record the shock waves and it somehow helps them to determine whether there are pockets of oil and gas there. That's the simple explanation I'm sure KH could explain in detail

The gas compressors on oil rigs compresses the natural gas that is in the well and it is used for driving large gas turbines on the platform and is also piped onshore.

Thats a lot of psi.

I will give you the long explanation but you would fall asleep. But in its basic form the time taken for the "shock" waves to get back to the surface receivers is indicative of the rock properties and to a certain extent depth of the differing rock interfaces. The results give them reservoir structure and potential hydrocarbon presence.

I've installed nitrogen compressors up to 414 bar (over 6000 psi) from time to time, the stainless steel 10mm pipework has to be hydraulically tested 1.5 times above that, witnessed and certified by Lloyds or someone similar. There are many safety features on high pressure systems like this especially if you're using nitrogen gas.

Any difference between that and hydraulic pressure with liquids? I mean in terms of the pressure.

That's interesting and amazing at the same time

Oh I don't do psi . Psi in diving is more of an American measurement. We use bar in the EU. We do depth in metres in too whereas Americans use feet. Interestingly I use feet in every other circumstance like measuring a room size for example.

When you charge something hydraulically (liquid) it is usually done via pumps, if you have a leak it quickly fizzles out as the pump cannot keep the pressure in the system, with gas you usually have a lot of gas storage at high pressure thus making it a lot more dangerous if a pipe bursts. There are things like automatic shut valves on high pressure systems that automatically shuts the pipe if there is a sudden release of gas, also there are usually gas detectors in the areas the pipework runs through, any gas detected then it shuts the system down. Its all down in a very safe way, the systems have to be inspected on a regular predetermined basis.

I see. I am only really familiar with high pressured hydraulic systems.

You dont get this kind of quality on the other channel. Interesting long running thread on flatulance, just now though.

How do you order your beer?