103 



Containment barrier is working well. Operating in eight foot seas, 35 KT winds. 

 Little entrainment and splash observed. 



14 August 1979: Recovery rate, 265-300 GPM. Good slick inside barrier-4in.-4.5 in. 

 deep. 



In other words the barrier is containing oil. 



Barrier continues outstanding performance containing oil in up to 12 foot seas. 

 Oil has Specific Gravity of 0.92. This tends to slow down skimming rate in late 

 afternoon. On scene WX generally constant, wind F/20KIS, seas E/3-12 ft. with 

 subsiding of winds and seas during each 24 hour period for approx. 6 hours. 



17 August 1979: Small storm center went through area two nights ago with 40KT 

 winds. Five ton moorings were insufficient to hold system. Suction hoses torn loose 

 from barrier, experience minor problems with other couplings. All damages re- 

 paired, system on line yesterday utilizing twelve ton moorings. 



Estimate max 4,000 brls daily recovery on good day. Exercising pumping rate slow 

 due to six hundred foot run from pumps to discharge point. Otherwise system 

 working well. 



That is poorly phrased. What it means is that they had a signifi- 

 cant head. The surfaces for example inside the hydraulic hoses 

 were slowing them down. 



Barrier presently containing ten inches of product buildup with no entrainment 

 or splash. 



This was quite significant for us, we were delighted. 



20 August 1979: 19 August 79 estimate skimming barrier pumped 6,600 barrels. 

 Storm center crossed area late 19 early 20 Aug. 40-50 KT winds, 12 ft. seas. 



Recovery barge taking on water, in danger of sinking. All efforts directed at saving 

 barge. 



A barge provided by Mexico, by the way. 



21 August 1979: Holding barge stabilized and pumping operations resumed at 1500 

 local 20 Aug 79. 



One prime mover remains inop due to salt water ingestion. Flushed with diesel 

 and oil. Other prime mover manifold welded by support vessel and now operating 

 normally. 



Pumping rate estimated at 5000 bbls average/day, with maximum of 400 to 450 

 GPM and minimum 250 to 300 GPM. Differences occur primarily in afternoon when 

 prevailing wind shifts and product level decreases at barrier. 



27 August 1979: One barrier parted during tropical disturbance. Appears vessel 

 ran over it. OIC states repairs being made and anticipated no problem being on line 

 when Pemex gives go ahead to commence pumping. 



31 August 1979: NR two skimming barrier casrep due to collision with vessel. 

 Presently in three sections. Skimming struts torn up, main tension line parted and 

 suffered extensive fraying. Some flotation bags ripped or pulled off. Two outboard 

 sections attached to NR one barrier as deflection barrier. Permanent repairs must 

 await return conus. 



That is about it. This kind of testimony I am inserting is to 

 demonstrate a couple of things. No. 1, our barrier works well but it 

 requires innovation. It requires kind of stout-hearted guys to be 

 down there and stick with the job. But we think that we are 

 improving it all the time, learning more about it all the time and 

 we really think it will work in 8- to 10-foot seas. There are times, 

 such as the Burma Agate incident off Texas, when it did not work 

 well at all. We were not able to moor the system as we were at 

 Campeche. It was necessary to use vessels to move it around. We 

 had winds that were contrary to the current. We had not nearly so 

 much oil as we had at Campeche. We had a hell of a big fire on our 

 hands. So we did not find it worked so well at that particular time. 

 We are continuing exercises on a regular basis to improve our 

 methods of deploying this boom. So I think your question was what 



