WorldWide Drilling Resource

54 MAY 2018 WorldWide Drilling Resource ® Open the Doorway to all the Event Photos during Mountain States Groundwater Expo 2018. To see all the photos from this event, go to www.worldwidedrillingresource.com or click here. Feel free to download at will and print the photo(s) of your choice. Compliments of WorldWide Drilling Resource ® . Photos are copyrighted and released for personal use only - no commercial use permitted. Escaping the Raging Sea Adapted from Information by the Norwegian Coastal Administration The Stadhavet Sea is the most exposed and dangerous area along the coast of Norway. The combination of wind, currents, and waves just south of Stad, Norway, create complex and unpredictable navigational conditions. Even on less windy days, there can still be difficult sailing conditions since heavy waves can contin- ue to rage for a number of days after winds have died down. To aid ships trav- eling around this portion of the Norwegian coastline, the world’s first full-scale ship tunnel is being planned to reduce the risk of incidents and accidents, while allowing for shipping regularity. While many pieces of the puzzle still need to be put into place before construction begins, a soft start date for construction on the tunnel has been slated for 2019. Terje Andreassen, project manager for the Stad Tunnel at the Norwegian Coastal Administration (NCA) said, “We experience great interest in the project, beyond that it is a project that will secure safe journeys and transportation of passengers and freight on the most exposed and dangerous part of the Norwegian coast . . . we have shared film, photographs, and interviews with journalists in the UK, the US, Germany, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, and Australia. We expect the interest to become even greater when the actual construction begins.” Studies analyzed a number of alternate cross sections and routes for the project, leading to the final route being selected where the Stad Peninsula is at its narrowest point and waters are sufficiently shielded to allow ships to use the tunnel in the majority of weather conditions. The NCA has prepared a concept selection report, which discusses the alternatives, a small tunnel, and a large tunnel. The government stated they wish to proceed with a pilot project, working on the basis of the large tunnel, which is considered to have greater potential. During construction, conventional blasting using underground drilling rigs and pallet rigs is envisioned. The structure will be more simular to a large and long mountain hall than a tunnel. The upper part of the ship tunnel will be run the same way as conventional road tunnels. Then, construction will work downwards, layer by layer through a method called pallet blasting. During the construction period, thresholds will most likely be placed at both ends of the tunnel to prevent water from entering the construction site. The tunnel’s estimated figures include a length of 5500 feet, height of 160 feet, width of 120 feet, and a construction timeframe of 3-4 years. Illustrations of the Stad Tunnel, courtesy of the NCA. The Hunter by Frederick Leroy Taylor I decided to go hunting Just me and my ole hound. Things were quiet around the house there was no one else around. I picked up my gun and called my dog put on my boots and slicker. It sure was foggy out there that night but this man is not a quitter. I didn’t know how dark it was. The lantern didn’t make much light But I’ll just go a little ways, I’m sure I’ll be alright. This going out all by yourself to hunt for fur and stuff It’s not what it’s cracked up to be In fact, it’s getting tough. My BB gun was about worn out and my hound was just a pup. Since I was only nine-years old, I decided to give it up. It made me feel quite grown-up To be out there alone But I was nearly scared to death And hurried my way back home. C&G