Panama Canal Expansion - Drill Rig

I would Google everything I could. For instance, you may have already searched on "Panama Canal Expansion". From there, look for any company names, and Google those. If they have any Web sites bragging about their abilities, they might also have some decent pictures. I don't know the name of the Panama newspaper, but that might be another source of photos. Good luck in your searches; this seems a fun project.

I keep on getting pictures of the barge from the one side only. I can see the 4 derricks, the 4 pins and the drill house, but no detail on the drill side. I am quite interested in how the derricks are moved away from the barge.

The people claiming to supply the drilling equipment only show their standard drill rigs and indicate that they can build special equipment, but nothing specific on this rig.

Andries

"I don't know the name of the Panama newspaper"

It's called the Panama Papers.

It's in all the papers.

try searching for 'suction cutter dredger' and variations of.

Interesting fact: To travel from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean you have to travel in a westerly direction through the Panama canal.

Continuing this off topic reply: If global warming continues on schedule, will we even need a Panama Canal?

Only if there is a warming that also comes with a heavy sea level change.

or if the oil price stays low. Quite a few non time critical cargoes are now bypassing the panama & suez canals as the fuel to go the long way round is cheaper than the fee for the canal.

hi greg, haven't seen you post for sometime now. nice seeing you here.

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At least two different rigs are depicted here, and, as the OP mentions, all from nearly the same side. The bases of the latticework frames are all concealed, so I can't tell what is at the bottom, but it doesn't look as though anything articulates. My guess is that they are always vertical (except for slight list of the whole barge).

Are there any web cams for this project? The New NY Bridge, as the replacement for the Tappan Zee bridge is known, has construction cameras. Local cameras might give you additional angles. Along the same line of thought, you could search for amateur photographs from people who've seen the drill rig in person. Or find someone who's willing to take some pix for you.

Is there a list of the contractors? If so you could get in touch directly with the rig's operator ... as long as it's not considered industrial piracy the owner/operator might send you some pictures. Good luck and remember to share with your CR4 community!

https://www.iadc-dredging.com/ul/cms/terraetaqua/document/2/9/7/297/297/1/article-dredging-for-the-panama-canal-s-new-locks-at-the-north-entrance-of-the-pacific-access-channel-terra-et-aqua-124-11.pdf

Link...

Meccano - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

If you build it, can you send us photos as the project progresses?

It would be very interesting to see.

Thank all of you for the images - I got the same lot with my searches. The best I got was on wikipedia - Thor_Barge_in_Gailard_Cut.jpg This picture does show the derrick side in somewhat more detail. If I could just lay my hands on a schematic drawing or contact someone who worked on this barge!

As I understood from the TV programme, the drills extend over the side. What I am interested in is: Once the barge is stable - do they extend further out, or remain static and drill down. The latter would be easier, but if they extend, replicating the mechanism will be very interesting.

I will gladly post pictures, but my rate of progress is not likely to be very fast - PhD overdue, full time job, list as long as my arm from the wife, ..

That pic should help the model quite a bit. Good detail there.

Just saw the photos SolarEagle posted. if you can model that, you're very good. I am trying to model a blending plant at a refinery on my HO train layout. I need that kind of skill - care to help?

Some of the guys in the Meccano Club of South Africa are brilliant at making models that are hyper realistic. One guy built a replica of the wire strandin machines his company operates, another did a full deep shaft mine, staring with the head gear, crusher and ending with the refining section, still another takes CAT brochures and replicate yellow iron.

I can simulate the blending plant and if you are close enough would love to help, but, the list .....

Yeah...until they develop teleportation the distance is a bit much.

I have done the well sites very closely, and in HO, where a 2" pipe is only 0.03" plastic rod, that is not so easy to do as it sounds. The problem with the blending plant, is I have to guess at quite a bit of the piping, as:

1. it was a full refinery once, and almost all piping, used or abandoned, is still in place making for a very cluttered scene.

2. since 9/11/2001, they refuse to let non-essential personnel in to look around. They even chased me away when I was taking pictures from a public road.

3. Google maps/earth blurs certain areas of the plant for the same reason as in 2, is basically worthless when viewed from above, and "street view" is from a public road, which means certain areas are not visible in "street view".

My train layout is going to take some time to finish in the area of the blending plant.

Thanks for the return response. Have fun building your drilling rig.

Could you approach the blending plant execs, explain your purpose, and maybe even be given a tour?

You wouldn't have to play any cards; just be Joe Q. Citizen, and don't mention any other connections.

Thank you for your suggestion.

Let's drop this now - I'm getting more replies than the OP. don't want to step on his gig.

Thank you Lyn - this is the best result so far! It answer the fundamental question - yes the drill towers move. I will follow up with the company and see if they are willing to help. Hopefully some pictures of my Meccano version will start emerging - ont of these days.

Good luck!

Nice find..

Thanks.