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Victoria University Antarctic Research Expedition Science and Logistics Reports 1998-99: VUWAE 43

CRP2 1998/1999 EVENT DIARY

page 1

CRP2 1998/1999 EVENT DIARY

Appendix 2 to CRP2 Log Report dated May 1999

DATE EVENT
22-Aug Howat, Ridgen, Sinclair arrive Scott Base (SB) ex Chch. Begin preparations for reconn.
31-Aug Clarke, Conaglen, Knox, Pyne, Reid arrive SB.
1-Sep Cowie arrives SB.
2-Sep Support team of eight depart SB in H1 and H2; overnight near Butter Point.
3-Sep Support team arrive Cape Roberts (CR) 1500 hrs.
5-Sep First containers/sledges hauled off CR.
7-Sep Conaglen, Pyne reconn drill site area - ice 1.8m thick; water depth 178m; DS at S77.006 E163.719. Temperature at SB reaches −50C.
11-Sep Utilities containers set up and first hot showers.
13-Sep CR Camp fully operational; Conaglen, Howat. Pyne depart CR for SB overnighting MPt.
21-Sep A heavy sledge route is finally determined SB to MPt via Tent Is.
22-Sep Conaglen, Howat, Pyne depart SB for CR overnighting at MPt.
25-Sep Conaglen resigns as Field Assistant/Carpenter.
26-Sep Americans depart SB for MPt hauling 4 CRP sledges (2 Challengers & Delta). Howat, Knox, Pyne depart CR for MPt in D6 and H2 with crack-bridging sledge (ASV on board) to rendezvous. Overnight MPt and return CR following day. Three cracks to bridge.
29-Sep First Mainbody flight cancelled.
3-4 Oct All 10 drillers, Holloway and remaining support staff (3) arrive SB ex Chch.
5-Oct Sea ice at Drill Site now 2m thick.
7-8 Oct CRPM, all drillers plus Holloway, two support staff, three divers (ex McM) arrive CR. Two 1m diameter holes drilled in sea ice and two air bags positioned in water under rig. Conaglen departs CR for SB and NZ.
9-Sep Sea riser deployment begins.
14-Oct Core technicians arrive and Sinclair (CRP Carpenter) departs CR for SB and NZ.
15-0ct Embedment of the sea riser into the sea floor begins. Brice arrives CR ex SB W/O to replace Conaglen as temporary Field Assistant.
16-Oct First core recovered.
18-Oct Cementing-in of sea riser a failure and repeated. All of CR 'permanent staff now in residence.
20-Oct Holloway departs CR for SB and NZ. Ackerly and Single (TVs Wild South programme) arrive to film Project.
24-Oct 50m bsf reached in CRP2 hole. James Barker USAP photographer arrives to photograph Project.
25-Oct While attempting to further embed the sea riser the under-reamer is temporarily 'lost' in the hole.
26-28 Oct Brice, Cowie, Howat, Knox depart CR for MPt fuel run, returning with 164 full drums.
28-Oct Sea riser further advanced to 12.2m bsf and again cemented-in. New hole now CRP2A
30-Oct 50m bsf reached in new CRP2A hole. Growing concern at high rate of mud fluid loss. New mud ordered, in all 2,625 kg (1,000 kg each of XCD Poly and PAC-R and 625 kg Guar Gum).
31-Oct Icetrek Expedition visits CR Camp and DS with TVNZ film crew.
2-Nov 100m bsf reached, core recovery rate improving and reduced loss of fluid. Independent environmental monitor, Tom Maggs, arrives with Ant NZ Enviromental Manager.
3-Nov 150m bsf reached. CRP DVs Carter and Fox arrive at CR with CEO Ant NZ.
5-6 Nov A successful 20 hour down-hole log conducted to depth of 172m bsf.
6-Nov Brice departs CR for SB and NZ.
7-Nov HQ coring stopped at 199m bsf and HQ rod cemented-in.
10-Nov 200m bsf reached. Coring recommenced using NQ rod.
12-Nov 250m bsf reached.
13-Nov Cita, Davey, Tessensohn, Thomson, Webb (all ISC members) and Fuetterer (OMG member) arrive.
14-Nov 300m bsf reached. Borg (NSF), Anderson and Huch, CRP visiting journalists arrived.
16-Nov 350m bsf reached. Cowie, Pyne depart CR for SB to attend combined ISC/OMG meeting.
17-Nov 400m bsf reached.
18-20 Nov Howat, Knox, Reid depart CR for second MPt fuel run; returning with 158 full drums. A fourth crack had to be bridged en route.
20-Nov 450m bsf reached. Horizontal drift of ice from over hole 9m - margin remains acceptable.
21-Nov 500m bsf reached. Italian TV film crew (3) arrive ex TNB for overnight filming.
22-Nov Hydraulic chuck replaced with mechanic chuck due to failed bearings.
23-Nov 550m bsf reached. Noticeable ice melt occurring at drill site and at CR transistion.
24-Nov 600m bsf reached. Decision taken to end coring 25 Nov to allow down-hole logging.
25-Nov Drilling stopped at 1420 hrs at depth of 624.15m bsf. Steve Brown, carpenter, arrives CR from SB.
26-29 Nov Down-hole log conducted to bottom of hole. Tool stuck in hole at 441 m bsf on 27th. Tool abandoned on 28th and final log done of upper hole. Party time at CR for 42 pers.
30-Nov HQ rod cut and recovered and CRP2 hole cemented. Scientists and drillers begin to depart CR, some via an overnight at Lake Vanda.
1-2 Dec Sea riser recovered. Outer casing successfully cut with CDC charge. Divers assisted.
1-4 Dec Drill Site decommissioned; all elements returned to CR, except one stuck under-ice 5t air bag.page 2
5-10 Dec CR Camp decommissioned by team of 7 support staff.
11-12 Dec Support team return to SB in H1 and H2 overnighting MPt.
13-Jan-99 Howat, Reid, Ridgen arrive CR for maintenance/winterisation work. The 5t air bag, abandoned at DS in December is recovered.
22-Jan Cowie arrives CR.
25-27 Jan Ant NZ's Environmental Mngr at CR for monitoring work. Soil and water samples 'clean' of hydrocarbon contaminants.
29-Jan Maintenance team depart CR for SB and NZ.