Oil and Water

Today was a day that divided our group.  We each went to the same place but at separate times.  This is the story of the group that went oil rigging first, climbing twenty-nine steep steps to get up to the rig.

Mr. Charlie Rig is a first generation oil rig now used by participants of the Diamond Offshore Roustabout Training Program.  Our guide first gave us a history of two men significant in the development of offshore oil drilling.  “Doc” LaBorde, a Navy man, and Charlie Murphy, a boat owner, got together in 1952 and explored a number of ideas ending in the construction of their first offshore rig.

As good businessmen, they found that renting equipment was better than owning it.  That goes for such diverse items as drill  bits to uniforms.

 They have continued over the years to use the latest in drilling techniques, now doing much of the work by a remote computer.  However, they still need manpower.

The Charlie Rig is the training center for their recruits.  It is a self-contained community that stands forty feet above the water.  It is where the men and women learn to work, live, eat, and enjoy recreation within the confines of the rig.  All room, board, laundry and other needs are provided.  Even food is provided for the trainees and workers.

 The training includes first aid, rescue, and safety awareness in addition to learning the skills needed for their twelve-hour work shifts.

We saw models of rigs that have their quarters as much as 80 feet above the water.  These rigs have 140-180 workers; new ones will have as many as 360 workers.

This Oceaneering machine is use in under water exploration.

The derrick can lift 1,000,000 pounds while it pumps mud down the hole to cool the drill bit.

After the well is drilled by rigs like Mr. Charlie, this production platform attaches to the wellhead to pump out the oil and deliver it to a tanker or pipeline.

After our lesson in oil production, we headed off for lunch.  The restaurant suggested by our leaders, who have not been wrong in food choices yet, was overcrowded and we had to fend for ourselves.  The Cuban Restaurant we found was very good and a treat for those of us who have never had Cuban food.  The Cuban hamburger with its special sauce was a big hit.  Wilt bought an order of plantains for the table and enjoyed one himself.

Then we went to the water.  Cajun Jack was waiting for us to board his swamp boat. 
 He and his partner Dawn Jones took us along the Bayou Teche, through the locks and onto the Atchafalaya River.  Cajun Jack is a man of many words, most of them in jest and unrepeatable. 

What we saw is indescribable and needs our photographs to give a hint to the beauty of our ride.

On one side of the Bayou the homes are large and lovely.  On the other side, they are what Jack described as homes with a good view.

Jack told us about the flooding that has occurred in the river and bayou.  We saw the water line on the cypress trees.  We also saw the root system that grows down into the water and then curves to return above the water line.

A couple of Cajun boats loaded with crawfish passed us.  Only 52 Cajuns live in Bayou Teche now.

Bald eagles, egrets and blue herons flew overhead.  Turtles basked on logs, jumping into the water upon our approach.  Alligators drifted below the waterline, except for two who seemed too engaged in other interests to be bothered by us.

When we returned to the campground, we learned of a new member of our group.  Art and Rita are soon to be the proud owners of a new dog.