IODP NanTroSEIZE Stage 1:
Expedition 314: NanTroSEIZE LWD Transect
Weekly Report #8 (Final report)
Date 15/Nov/2007
Chikyu moved upstream by 5nm at 00:00 a.m. on 9 November and began running into the hole with MWD assembly for the pilot drilling while drifting from 04:00 a.m. Continued running drill string from 06:00 a.m. while checking every single connection which might have been loosen by the strong vibration during drilling in previous hole. Site C0006A was spudded for the pilot drilling at 00:15 a.m. on 10 November (3875 m water depth). Drilling was continued after short trip between 599.5 m and 454.5 mbsf, then tightened up lube-oil gear which had been shaken loose due to heavy vibration. Target Depth for the pilot hole at 885.5 mbsf was finally reached at 20:45 p.m. on 11 November.
Drill floor equipments were checked and tighten up that was caused by heavy vibration. After pulling out the MWD tool string, ship moved 2 nm upstream. LWD assembly was made up at 11:15 a.m. on 12 November and began running into the hole while ship was drifting. At 00:45 a.m. of 13 November, seabed was confirmed at 3871.5 m water depth, spudded and jetted down to the 40 m and then began rotary drilling. Continued drilling to the 302.5 mbsf and found pressure dropping due to the lost of communication from MWD tool at 14:00 p.m. on 13 November. However drilling finally reached to the 885.5 mbsf TD at 16:45 p.m.
Science party began packing up data boxes, backing up data, and finalizing reviewed reports this week. Expedition 315 advanced scientists group embarked Chikyu on 11 November, and started working in the lab area. Meeting was held to discuss end of cruise logistics and post-cruise research plan on 11 November. Expedition 314 officially ended midnight of November 15, 2007 and science party left the Chikyu on November 16 in three helicopter flights.
The 8 weeks of report about the Expedition 314 was reported by the Co-Chief Scientists (Dr. Masataka Kinoshita and Dr. Harold Tobin), CDEX Operations Superintendent (Mr. Ikuo Sawada and Tsuyoshi Abe) and CDEX Expedition Project Manager (Moe Kyaw Thu).
