Looks like BP Alaska is getting some visitors today.

[Arctic Dave]

I was sitting at my desk about a half an hour ago and had a helicopter fly over our building, strange but not unheard of since the ice roads are going out and they are starting flight ops, then about thirty seconds later I hear another going over head. Really strange. I go outside just in time to see what appeared to be a North Slope Bourough helicopter going by. Both of them were heading straight offshore and not just doing a quick loop for shakedown. I stand outside and watch them until they are about ten to fifteen miles out and they both bank right. The only thing out in the direction they headed was Endicott Island which has the Liberty Project being built next to it. Liberty is built on a man made island that you can drive to, it is going to be the largest land base stationary drilling rig in the world when built. They will be drilling the farthest side tracked well with this when they are done.

Looks like they were not kidding when they said they were going to inspect offshore operations. If BP thought this project had a lot of eyes on it before, they may have just added a few thousand more.

Will keep posted if i find anything else out.

[Vincardog]

1. Thanks Arctic Dave for the update

[Hekate]

2. KnRnTY. Thank you for the report, Arctic Dave. I look forward to hearing more. nt

[Arctic Dave]

3. Update: Went to airport to see what was on the tarmac

Looks like whoever it is chartered a plane up here. It is one of Penair's aircraft which doesn't fly up here.

Penair is based out of Anchorage.

[MadMaddie]

4. The government needs to follow the lead of Holland and other

countries to mandate that the safety valve be on all rigs. Oh and the government needs to give them two months to do it. Screw the bullshit!! If Halliburton has been doing repairs on more rigs this is just the beginning.....

[Arctic Dave]

5. This rig is actually on land.

It is a small man made gravel island. Still needs to have the best safty equipment either way.

[MadMaddie]

6. Agreed!

[Quantess]

7. Yes. Thanks to deregulation,

these safety precautions are not mandated in the US. That means the US says it's okay for international oil companies to use our country, and ultimately the planet, like a toilet.

[TransitJohn]

9. Just two nitpicks.

The 'safety valves' (they're called BOPs) ARE on all rigs worldwide. I assume you meant the acoustic triggers for the valves. Secondly, Halliburton wasn't doing 'repairs,' they were doing a cement job. Really, if it had been Schlumberger or BJ doing the cement job, would there be so much acrimony?

[Blue_In_AK]

8. Dave, what do you think is going to happen

with Shell and the Chukchi? Aren't they scheduled to start exploratory offshore drilling in July? I hope someone stops them.

I personally think this spill in the Gulf should have ramifications for Pebble, as well. Sure, it's mining instead of oil drilling, but the potential for disaster is just as real.

[Arctic Dave]

10. As it is now, Shell has the go ahead.

I would not be suprised if this catastrophy puts a delay on the project until they get an acoustic BOP. Most likely we will be seeing Shell TV ads(read propaganda) saying they are better then BP about their safety/enviromental records.

The only way I see this getting stopped is a direct intervention from the Fed OR Shell delays it until the heat is off on offshore drilling. I see the latter happening first.

P.S. Jodie is running for House Rep. for our district. Woohoo!

[Blue_In_AK]

13. How exciting for Jodie!

Who is she running against?

[Arctic Dave]

14. She is running against Craig Johnson for HD28

She has already filed and is getting her website and team together. :)

[Blue_In_AK]

15. That's really awesome.

Maybe I can throw a few bucks her way.

[Arctic Dave]

16. I'll let you know when her site is up and running,

:)

[arcadian]

11. Where the heck are you?

Barrow?

[Arctic Dave]

12. Prudhoe Bay. East of Barrow.

Oilfield central for N. America.