of working in the middle of the ocean, check out this pic taken from the flare tip yesterday. Just for a bit of scale reference, the connecting bridges are at 35 m (100 ft) above sea level. We currently have 703 people on this collection of platforms.
We are currently in a shutdown, so it made this shot possible, as normally with the flare burning you can't get more than half way down the flare bridge due to the heat. The 2 platforms in the middle (one is behind and slightly offset) are the normal Process and Accom/Utilities platforms. The ones hanging off each side are drilling rigs that have been re-vamped into offshore accomodation vessels for extra beds during the shutdown. We normally have the one on the right out here, as we have a structure remediation campaign running, but the one on the left came in a month ago and will leave again post shutdown.
The seasons out here are turning, going into the wet (cyclone) season, which means a 180 deg shift in prevailing currents and winds. At present we are in the lull of the shift, hence the water is unbelieveably flat. The water is really clear as well, and with a combination of no process noise and weather the sea life has been amazing. So far this swing I have seen 3 whale sharks, a turtle, numerous dolphins and heaps of sharks actually breaching, and just today I saw a bronze whaler barrel roll as he leaped out to take a fish.
Although it has been a great bit of viewing, I'm well over the shutdown, had our arses hanging out every day... 5 1/2 days to go... then home for a week and back out for a weeks overcycle
