Lake E Daily News, 28 April 2009
Following several days of preparation for the relocation of platform, today was the big day for the move. First the electrical cables and fuel hose between platform and generator container were disconnected. Then the generator container was moved about 5 meters to the south. To our surprise, it was discovered that the generator container was apparently so warm underneath that it had created two large holes in the ice. Because of these holes (75 cm deep), it was decided to move both the platform and container to the North instead of the South-away from the two holes.
The platform move took place in stages. First, two dozers were placed at the South end of the platform to push it towards the North. The rig did not move. Next the two dozers were positioned at the North end with the result that the platform was moved about 50 cm to the South. The two halves of the rig did not move equal distances so then it was necessary for the dozer to nudge on part of the rig to realign the two platform halves.
Finally, cables were slung around two of the vertical platform sledge struts and these were tied to one dozer positioned North of the platform. A second dozer was placed in front of the first dozer and connected via a steel cable. A third dozer was positioned at the opposite end of the platform so it could push. Finally with two dozers pulling and one dozer pushing, the platform was moved about 7 m to the North within a few minutes. The entire move of the platform took less than two hours.
The rest of the day shift was spent spudding a new hole in the ice and then dropping down about half of the casing, welding the joints along the way. The night shift is expected to finish the casing and trip in the PQ. We should be drilling again later tomorrow.
We are all grateful to the Chaun Mining dozer drivers and Victor (their camp manager) who did such a great job.
poka!! ...Julie BG
