July 31, 2009 (Day 83)

Weather: Rainy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Operations continued overnight and this morning with pulling up the riser pipe. The BOP was on deck at about 10:30 and secured in the guides shortly after noon. The ROV was deployed at 14:35 to retrieve transponders. The science party continued working on the Site C0009 report and the wireline logging data. In addition, the Co-Chief Scientists, EPM, and OSI met briefly to discuss plans for the next drill site (NT2-01J), and to discuss possible contingency operations.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 30, 2009 (Day 82)

Weather: Rainy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The science party continued working on the Site C0009 report. The science party also enjoyed a tour of the ship (thanks to the OSI, Abe-san). We would like to thank the OIM Steve Krukowski, who disembarked this morning, for all of his efforts in making Site C0009A a success. The science party has also been working on the wireline logging data. In addition, the Co-Chief Scientists, EPM, lab officer, and curator organized the sampling party to fulfill sample requests from both the group A and group B scientists; the sampling party will include core and cuttings from Site C0009A, as well as the Site C9003 (JAMSTEC) geotechnical cores.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 29, 2009 (Day 81)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Operations continued today with pulling up the riser pipe. Pulling up of the upper joints with fairing was completed at 22:15. The science party continued working on the Site C0009 report, and they have been in contact with the scientists from Group A for input on the report chapters. The science party has also been working on the wireline logging data. In addition, the Co-Chief Scientists, Expedition Project Manager, and observatory scientists spent some time discussing operations and logistics for the planned observatory "dummy run" at Site NT2-01J.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 28, 2009 (Day 80)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Operations yesterday included displacing drilling fluid to seawater and disconnecting the BOP around 06:00. After unlatching, preparations were made for BOP retrieval, and the drilling crew began pulling up the riser pipe. The science party continued working to finalize the Site C0009 report and working on integrating results from shipboard measurements with the wireline logging data. The VSP team (Eiichiro Araki, Yoshinori Sanada, and Roland von Huene) disembarked morning, and we welcomed the arrival of Yukari Kido as Logging Staff Scientist.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 27, 2009 (Day 79)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Operations today included rigging down from the VSP experiment from 0:00 to 1:00, followed by slipping and cutting the drill line for maintenance. The riser was displaced with seawater from drilling fluid, and preparations began for retrieving the BOP, including launch of the ROV at around 23:00. The science party continued working to finalize drafts of the Site C0009 report and started to work on integrating results from shipboard measurements with the wireline logging data. The group also met to reach a preliminary consensus on interpretation of lithologic and logging based units, which will provide a framework for interpretation of all of the data collected at Site C0009. In the evening, the VSP group provided a brief overview of their initial records and a discussion of data quality for the rest of the science party. We'd like to extend a special thanks to Yoshinori Sanada, who leaves tomorrow, for his hard work helping the logging scientists to depth shift and import all of the logging data.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 26, 2009 (Day 78)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Shooting for the walkaway VSP experiment continued until 11:00. The experiment included a single line shot from southeast to northwest with 60 m shot spacing, as well as a circle of about 3.5 km radius centered on Site C0009A to assess seismic anisotropy. Upon completion of the W-VSP, operations continued with preparation for a zero offset VSP. On behalf of the shipboard scientists and VSP science "team" on the Kairei and Chikyu, we would like to extend thanks to Ikuo Sawada (OSI), Stephen Krukowski (OIM), all of the drillers, and the logging team for their efforts over the past few days to make the VSP experiment possible. We would also like to acknowledge the support from the CDEX Operations Group, who provided much-needed input and advice during the many adjustments to VSP scheduling. The shipboard science party continued on their analyses and revisions for the Site C0009A site report. The group is looking forward to conducting a detailed analysis of the wireline logging data, once depth corrections are finalized and the resistivity borehole wall imaging data are imported.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 25, 2009 (Day 77)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

After completing casing and cementing the hole, confirmed the diameter of borehole for running wireline logging tool. The VSI tool was rigged with 16 sensors and then run down to the wellhead. After a successful check shot from the R/V Kairei, the tool was run into the hole and about 20:15 began the experiment with the R/V Kairei. The shipboard science party continued on their analyses and reporting results from the cores, cuttings, and logging data at Site C0009A.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 24, 2009 (Day 76)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Hole circulation continued from midnight until 02:15. At that time cementing began for the 13 3/8 inch casing and were completed at 12:45. The shipboard science party continued their work of the past several days in completing site reports, and analysis of cores, cuttings, and logging data. A number of additional science activities took place centered on the VSP experiment. The science party took a tour to see the VSP tool and Chikyu airguns to be used for the zero offset VSP. Eiichiro Araki, Roland von Huene, and Yoshinori Sanada gave a general science cafe talk for the crew about the VSP at 13:00 and 19:00. In addition, the Co-chiefs scientists, EPM, and VSP group met with the OSI to discuss the details and timing of the VSI (Vertical Seismic Imager) tool deployment and the Kairei shooting plan.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 23, 2009 (Day 75)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Operations continued with running casing from 550 to 1540 meters below rotary table, finishing at 06:00. The casing was then run to the wellhead and into the hole, to the planned depth of 3624.3 m. The casing hanger was landed, and the hole was circulated. The shipboard science party continued to work toward completing the Site C0009 Site reports, and also continued their analysis of cores, cuttings, and the MDT data. The group has also been working on analysis of the wireline logging data, and on XRF core scanning. The Kairei conducted a practice run for the VSP experiment and approached to 350 m of the Chikyu. The VSP scientists and Logging Staff Scientist are preparing for the upcoming experiment.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 22, 2009 (Day 74)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Operations continued with retrieval of the NSP (wear bushing), and running 13-3/8 inch casing to 550 m as of midnight. R/V Kairei is on site and on standby to begin VSP operations. The Co-Chiefs and EPM met with the OSI to discuss some of the planned operations at our next non-riser site, NT2-01. The shipboard science party continued to work on Site reports, and on completing analyses of cores, cuttings, and MDT data begun by the group A scientists. The group has also been analyzing the wireline logging data, and working with the Lab technicians to begin XRF scanning of the cores. The science party also received a briefing on software packages for analysis of logging data. The VSP scientists and Logging Staff Scientist spent the day working with the engineers to prepare for the upcoming VSP. In the evening, Roland von Huene and Eiichiro Araki gave a detailed scientific presentation to the group about the VSP experiment.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 21, 2009 (Day 73)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

From midnight to 04:00, operations included circulation, hole cleaning and pull out of the hole. R/V Karei arrived on site and is on standby to begin Walkaway VSP operations in the coming days. Yesterday morning, the remaining scientists from group A departed, and the rest of the group B scientists arrived. At the morning executive meeting, the OSI, OIM, Co-chief scientists, EPM, and observatory specialists discussed the upcoming casing operations. During the day, the science party continued to work on completing the reports on cuttings and core analyses for Site C0009. The sedimentology group worked with the lab technicians to perform calibrations in preparation for XRF core scanning. The co-chiefs and EPM met with Tadashi Yoshizawa to develop a plan for outreach during the rest of the expedition. After dinner, we briefed the new scientists on board about the expedition objectives and results to date. Publications assistant Virginia Lowe then gave a short presentation about the expedition report to the entire science group.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 20, 2009 (Day 72)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Yesterday, operations continued to open the borehole to 17 inch, reaching a Target Depth of 1567 meters below the seafloor at 14:00. After circulating the hole to clear cuttings, a wiper trip was run up to the casing shoe and completed at midnight. At 10:00 AM JST, The deep sea research ship "Kairei" left port to prepare for the planned Walkaway VSP operation. The group A and B scientists worked together on writing sections of the C0009 site report, and to hand over these works in progress to the group B scientists. The scientists met to discuss the MDT data, as well as newly generated XRF data from cores and 1 - 4 mm sized cuttings. The XRF data show several trends that the scientists are planning to investigate further through comparison with other cuttings, core, and logging data, and through detailed XRF scanning of the cores.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 19, 2009 (Day 71)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Continuing to open the borehole to 17 inch. Core sample measurements continued. Wrap up preliminary results.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 18, 2009 (Day 70)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Drilling to open the hole to 17 inch continued from 1119 to 1378 meters below the seafloor, with an average rate of 15 m/hour. Hole conditions remain good. The damaged antenna was replaced with a spare, and the dynamic positioning status returned to green. Yesterday, Co-Chief Scientist Tim Byrne, EPM Nobu Eguchi and some of Group A science party disembarked, and Demian Saffer, EPM Sean Toczko and a part of Group B science party embarked. The Group B scientists enjoyed a full tour of the labs at 13:15. Throughout the day, the science party members from groups A and B met in small disciplinary groups as part of the science crossover, to analyze remaining core sections, and to discuss preliminary results. Group A also continued to prepare their reports, with help from the Group B scientists.

Best regards,
Demian Saffer, Lisa McNeill and Sean Toczko

July 17, 2009 (Day 69)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Opening up the hole to 17 inch continued during the day. Weather conditions are good and the current speed was 0.9 knots. A group picture of all onboard people was taken on the heli-deck in glorious weather to mark the departure of part of the science party. The science party was very busy during the day preparing their reports and squeezing in some final analysis - this is the final day before half of the party leaves the ship. At 19:30 a site meeting was held where all of the results to date were presented. The presentations revealed a wide range of interesting results and ideas from this Site. This is excellent progress considering the timing of receiving cuttings, core and logs and after such a long wait.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 16, 2009 (Day 68)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The MDT logging experiment continued overnight until 04:00. Single probe measurements were made at different locations down the borehole between 700 and 1600 meters below seafloor, including within the forearc basin sediments and underlying accretionary prism/prism slope basin. These provide measurements of mobility (permeability) and formation pressure. The dual packer tests were performed, one drawdown to measure interval hydrological parameters and two hydraulic fracture tests to measure stress magnitude. Overall the experiment was a success and we are pleased that the first application of this tool within IODP and deployment within the riser system has been completed.
The tools were then pulled out of the hole and the assembly prepared for opening up the hole to 17 inch. Running in the hole started at 20:00.
The science party has been very busy bringing together their data analysis and preparing reports. A science meeting was held at 19:30 to present and discuss these results. After the meeting, the logging engineers visited the lab and were thanked for their work and interaction during the wireline operations.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 15, 2009 (Day 67)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The wiper trip was completed and the drill pipe was pulled out of the hole until 11:00. The MDT logging tool assembly was rigged up and started running in the hole at 15:30. The test plan was to conduct single probe measurements with increasing depth down hole followed by three dual packer tests returning up the hole. After calibrating the depth of the logging tool, by comparing the gamma ray log data between the current and previous logging runs, the first single probe test was conducted at 19:15. Single probe tests continued until midnight with members of the logging group, observing and advising during the tests in the operations container.
During the day the science party continued working on results and preparing reports.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 14, 2009 (Day 66)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Sea current speed has now reduced to 0.5 knots and the weather conditions are good. Began running in the hole for the wiper trip (expected 24 hours) before the MDT logging run at 07:30. Simultaneously, the casing stands are being prepared and placed in the derrick. The logging data were passed to the scientists and they have started working on the data, comparing with core and cuttings data and examining sites for the MDT tests. At 13:00 the MDT group met again with the engineer and Operations Geologists to finalize the depth locations for each single probe and dual packer test having examined the newly arrived log data. At 18:30, this plan was presented to the Operation Superintendent who approved it. A sample flagging party was held at 14:30 after the final cores (#5 and 7) had been split where scientists adjusted their sample request positions in the cores and made additional requests. An informal meeting was held at 19:30 to discuss some initial results from the cored interval and from the log data. The science party have been very busy today describing the cores, making final analyses on core samples, looking at the new log data and preparing drafts of reports in advance of part of the science party leaving on the 17th July.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 13, 2009 (Day 65)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The first wireline logging run was successfully completed to 1585 m below sea floor at 09:00 and the science party were able to view the data being collected in real time in the lab. Initial data were available to the science party in the morning and the group spent time examining results. In particular, the caliper data were studied in terms of borehole condition and potential locations for the MDT measurements. At 13:00, the second wireline tool assembly was run in the hole and logging up the hole began at 19:00. This logging run included the sonic scanner and the resistivity image tools. Pulling out of the hole after this logging run continued until 00:00. The science party continued to describe the cores and make measurements from shipboard samples. Cuttings from the cored section are also being analyzed. Preparation of interstitial water samples (pore fluids) for geochemical analysis also began today. The Co-Chiefs gave two science cafe talks to interested members of the crew, covering the overall scientific objectives of the NanTroSEIZE project and the specific analyses in lab. Current speed yesterday and this morning was getting fast relatively so adjustments were made to the riser tensioners, however the current speed was reducing during the day.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 12, 2009 (Day 64)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Cleaning the hole and pulling out of the hole continued overnight. Part of the deepest part of the borehole (lower cored section) is not in good condition and it was hard to pull out, probably due to difficulties in removing cuttings during circulation. The first logging run planned for later in the day will provide important information about the condition of the hole, particularly caliper data. Running in started overnight and a spot the Lost Circulation Materials was added just below the casing shoe to reduce loss of mud into the formation, consisting of calcium carbonate and walnut shells. This has had some impact on the second batch of cuttings from the cored zone. At 14:00 a teleconference call was held between the ship and CDEX to discuss the upcoming logging runs, including the MDT logging run. The science party continued to describe and take shipboard samples from the cores - cores #3, 4, 6 and 8 are now split so we are now able to identify any changes in lithology, structure and physical properties through the cored zone. An informal science discussion meeting was held at 19:30. Later in the evening part of the science party viewed the assembly of the logging tools for the first run. The logging tools during this run will measure mud temperature, resistivity, caliper (borehole diameter), porosity, density and gamma ray.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 11, 2009 (Day 63)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Wind speeds were high this morning but eased somewhat during the day. After running in the hole overnight and this morning, the borehole was opened up to 12-1/4 inch within the cored section (1510 - 1594 meter below sea floor, mbsf) and drilled ahead a further 10 m to a new Total Depth of 1605 mbsf. This will allow the logging tools (which will be used tomorrow) to log the majority of the cored section. Following circulation, pulling out of the hole began and will continue overnight. The engineer team has been preparing the logging tools for wireline logging. The science party continued to describe and sample the newly split cores. Some impressive and complex fault structures have been observed and measured with evidence of different phases of deformation. The core sections are being run through the image scanner, thermal conductivity, natural gamma ray, P-wave velocity and MAD (moisture and density) measurements are being taken and samples taken for paleomagnetic and AMS (Anisotropy of Magnetic Susceptibility) measurement. XRD-XRF samples are also being prepared. Multi-sensor core logger data are also available for each core. New cuttings samples arrived following opening up the borehole and the analysis of these will be compared with the cores. The Co-Chiefs and Expedition Project Manager discussed with the new OSI, Sawada-san, to discuss the MDT program.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 10, 2009 (Day 62)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

After yesterday's successful coring, two initial sections of the cores were split to take a first look. The sedimentology and structural geology teams have now started describing the cores. We are able to immediately identify some thin distal turbidite beds, evidence of bioturbation and dewatering and interesting small faults and shear zones, many of which had been imaged in the CT scans. Both normal and thrust faults have been identified in the cores. The physical properties team has been working hard generating data from both the cuttings and the cores as cluster samples become available. The whole round core sample requests were reviewed, locations selected and then cut from the cores in advance of core splitting. We are now starting to split the other cores, while leaving part of the cored section un-split until the MDT experiment is performed. The geochemistry group is now having some success extracting small volumes of interstitial water from sections of the cores by squeezing them. The logging group met with the MDT specialist and discussed various aspects of the logging plan. Following the end of coring and after circulating the hole bottoms up and pulling out of the hole, the Bottom-Hole Assembly (BHA) was changed in preparation for a wiper trip and for opening up the cored section of the hole to 12-1/4 inch and we started running in the hole.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 9, 2009 (Day 61)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Today was very successful in terms of operational and scientific activities - we succeeded in collecting 5 good quality cores with core recovery of higher than 75 %. Core #9 was retrieved from 1593.9 meter below sea floor at 22:25. Between cores #7 and #8 the hole was circulated bottoms up. The formation became significantly harder during drilling core #9, increasing the drilling time, suggesting some change in formation properties. This brings the total cored section to 83.9 m (1510 to 1593.9 mbsf) and completes coring operations. The science party is very grateful to Jim Aumann, coring supervisor, and all onboard for a successful coring operation. Cuttings are now gradually being retrieved from the cored section and hole conditions are good. In addition to collecting time sensitive samples from the arriving cores, the science party has been completed descriptions and shipboard sampling of cores #1 and 2 and has been examining the CT scans of core sections. Datasets are gradually growing from cuttings and core analysis, including magnetic susceptibility data, composition from XRD and structural analysis. A science discussion meeting was held at 20:00. Topics ranged from cuttings results and comparisons between the various datasets to the big picture science problems such as how the forearc basin and prism have developed.
The logging group met to discuss the MDT (Modular Dynamic Tester) logging operation, considering the available information on formation properties. The plan will be considered further with the engineer tomorrow.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 8, 2009 (Day 60)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The first proper cores were retrieved yesterday and core recovery and core quality is excellent - great news. After the deplugger was run 3 times, the bit was finally unplugged and normal pumping pressures established. Core #3 (8.5 m, to 1536.9 mbsf) was on deck at 11:40 and core #4 (7.3 m, to 1546.4 mbsf) was on deck at 22:10 after some circulation within the hole. The hole is now circulated up to the riser booster after the coring phase with the core barrel in the hole to assist the general clearance of cuttings from the hole. Core recovery is good (~80-100%) and excellent core quality. Immediately the cores were on deck, gas samples and time sensitive core samples were taken for interstitial water and for anelastic strain recovery (ASR) stress measurements and the cores were cut into sections. Cores were then CT scanned. The lab technicians have been working hard to process the cores and cuttings samples arriving at the same time. The science party have been completing sedimentological and structural descriptions of partial cores #1 and #2 and analyzing physical properties samples from these 2 cores to compare with data from cuttings in the overlying intervals.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 7, 2009 (Day 59)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The Bottom-Hole Assembly (BHA) was reassembled and run in the hole again down to 1519.5 m below sea floor after removing the first partial core. Hole conditions are some concern so weight of drilling fluid has been increased slightly to try to reduce caving and hole deterioration. The hole was circulated bottoms up and we then cored the next 9.5 m. Core #2 was on deck at 18:55. Core catcher material was removed but it was then found that the bottom of the core liner was smashed. Further investigation revealed that the core liner above had collapsed. 2.1 m of core length was extracted from the core barrel. The core contains several intact core pieces. Following retrieval of the core, when pressure was increased in the hole, abnormally high pressures indicated that the bit was plugged. A deplugger has been used to try to remove this blockage to clear the bit before coring the next section. Analysis of core #2 has already begun. The sample is lithified, fine grained (predominantly clay and siltstone) and contains identifiable sedimentary structures and fault structures. Shipboard samples have been taken to perform a number of analyses including moisture and density (MAD), P-wave, XRD-XRF and paleomagnetism.The Co-Chiefs, EPM, Curators and Lab Officers also discussed how to adapt the core flow procedure for the partial core sections that have been retrieved to maximize the number of analyses and scientific information that can be gained from these samples.
The science party have been working on writing up their results and integrating results between groups from the cuttings analysis for 712.7 - 1510 m below sea floor while also working on the new core material. We are all impressed by the amount of information that has been obtained from the cuttings and gas analysis and the consistency between different datasets. Comparison between cores and cuttings in the same interval will also improve our understanding of the cuttings from the shallower borehole. The combined data from this site, C0002 (Stage 1, NanTroSEIZE) and other parts of the margin will ultimately enable us to produce a model of the Nankai margin forearc development.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 6, 2009 (Day 58)

Weather: Rain
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Circulating in the hole continued until 03:30. After dropping the inner core barrel, RCB coring began at 04:25 from 1510 to 1519.5 m below sea floor. The core line was lowered but was unable reach the bottom of the drill pipe. Therefore the inner core barrel was removed and the intention was to pull partially out of the hole to make sure all equipment. When the drill pipe was pressurized to remove any cored material it was found that there was a blockage in the pipe or bit. So the decision was made to pull out the coring assembly and to remove the blockage which may be a usable sample. At 23:30 the Bottom-Hole Assembly (BHA) was on deck and a part of the cored material removed from the drill bit. The sample is partly unconsolidated compressed sediment and partly lithified core pieces. The samples will be processed as part core and part core catcher material but of uncertain precise depth within the 9.5 m cored interval.
The science party are excited to have their first "core" from this site but looking forward to the first actual core. There are some concerns about the current borehole conditions with drilling parameters indicating caving from a depth of 1390 m below sea floor, so mud properties will be adjusted. The science party continue to analyze the cuttings from the shallower part of the borehole. There are now some intriguing physical properties results (moisture and density) and the group are comparing porosity results using different size fractions, examining the effects of sample preparation and making comparisons with measurements from NanTroSEIZE Stage 1 C0002 cores. Cohesive cuttings have now been extracted from shallower cuttings samples and these can be used for physical properties and structural analysis.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 5, 2009 (Day 57)

Weather: Sunny but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Assembly of the BHA (Bottom Hole Assembly) was completed around 06:30 and we started running in the hole to the casing shoe. The BHA reached the bottom of the hole at ~23:00 and we started the continuation of circulating and cleaning up the hole.
Members of the science party met at 20:00 to review the cuttings analysis procedure, discussing how best to obtain samples representative of the formation and how to check for cavings. There was agreement to compare analyses (lithological description, XRD-XRF, thin section) of different size fractions and of the whole cuttings sample (unwashed) and that comparison between cuttings and core in the cored section would be very valuable. Cuttings samples are continuing to be processed for moisture and density measurements (the second round of samples are currently being oven dried).

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 4, 2009 (Day 56)

Weather: Rain
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Final preparations of the BHA (Bottom Hole Assembly) are now being completed before running in the hole. When the BHA reaches Target Depth (at 1510 m below sea floor), the circulate in hole process will be completed. At 11:00 members of the science party were given a very comprehensive tour of the core tech. workshop and parts of the coring assembly by the coring supervisor. At 19:00, the science party presented their initial results from analysis of the cuttings (sedimentology and paleontology), mud gas and MWD (Measurement While Drilling) gamma ray data. The results look really promising with consistent stories between the different groups and good correlation with the seismic reflection data. Shipboard scientist, Dr. Thomas Wiersberg presented results of composition, depth distribution and concentration of gas derived from the formation. He will also be analyzing carbon isotopes to determine if the methane is biogenic or thermogenic. Samples are currently being prepared for moisture and density measurements (MAD) and should be ready tomorrow - initial inspection of samples suggests they should yield good results. Samples are also now available to the structural geologist for analysis of deformation structures.
The MDT group met again in the evening to prepare their measurement plan.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 3, 2009 (Day 55)

Weather: Fine but cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

The most significant achievement of the day was achieving the Target Depth of 1509.7 m below sea floor. There were celebrations in the lab!
Following this, bottoms up circulation has cleared the borehole and now all cuttings have been retrieved. Cuttings processing and analysis has continued through the day. At 1333 m below sea floor, there is a change in lithology to significantly more lithified material. The material is mostly fine grained with minimal sand in contrast to shallower intervals.
The cuttings flow procedure has therefore been modified and we are now handling these cuttings as semi-hard (part soft, part hard). The physical properties and structural geology groups are therefore now able to analyze samples so we hope to get moisture and density measurements and be able to identify deformation structures. Logging scientist has been examining the MWD (Measurement While Drilling) gamma ray data. There is little significant variation in gamma ray between ~700 and 1400 m below sea floor, so we will wait to compare with natural gamma ray of cuttings and the wireline gamma ray data.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 2, 2009 (Day 54)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

After circulating and clearing the borehole last night, drilling began again at ~02:00 with good progress at 25 m/hr. At 05:00, (~1300 m below sea floor), gas levels started to rise and reached peaks around 05:30-06:00. This depth coincides with an angular unconformity within the forearc basin sediments observed in the seismic reflection data and may have resulted in trapping of gas. Drilling reached to 1404.7 m below sea floor at 06:00. This was followed by a period of circulating in the hole to remove the remaining cuttings and a short wiper trip. Special attention was paid to cuttings analysis as we crossed the unconformity at ~1300 m below sea floor. The texture of the cuttings appeared to change to become more cohesive - the science party interpreted this as evidence for increasing compaction and lithification which is what we would expect if there is a significant hiatus across the unconformity.
The most recent cuttings samples (from 1320-1330 m below sea floor) are compositionally more mature than shallower samples. The samples contain less lithic fragments, more quartz, abundant glauconite and less woody fragments.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi

July 1, 2009 (Day 53)

Weather: Cloudy
Location: NT2-11B, Hole C0009A (33°27’N / 136°32’E)

Drilling continued until 1324.7 meters below the seafloor at 9:00. The cuttings retrieved include true soft cuttings of silty mudstone and unconsolidated silt to fine sand with locally abundant pyritised wood and some pyritised fossils. The 5 m sampling intervals are likely to be sampling interbedded silty-sand and silty-mudstone beds. The sand fraction includes volcanic glass fragments, amphiboles, basalt and, more recently, glauconite. The sedimentologists have been able to revert to analysis at 5 m intervals so there are no gaps in data analysis. Some samples have also been analysed with XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) to investigate clay composition. The analysis of nannofossils now provides some indication of chronology from the base of the casing to 940 m below sea floor.
The Co-Chiefs, EPM and Logging Staff Scientist discussed with the newly arrived engineer about details of the logging tools including MDT (Modular Dynamic Tester) and VSI (Velocity Seismic Imager). Later in the day, the scientific logging team also discussed about the details of the MDT experiment. At 10:30, an hour long conference call was held between the ship and onshore scientists (members of the Project Management Team) to discuss the current schedule and future drilling scenarios for this site.

Best regards,
Lisa McNeill, Tim Byrne and Nobu Eguchi