Views of the Neighborhood – Big Foot

~ John W. Howell

Bigfoot Drilling rig

This week’s View of the Neighborhood follows the Bigfoot Drilling rig as it moves down the Corpus Christi channel to the Gulf of Mexico. The oil and gas rig is headed to a position about 250 miles off New Orleans.  It will be anchored in water about a mile deep. Once productive it will deliver 25,000 barrels of oil and 25 million cubic feet of gas per day. It is currently moving in the Gulf at 1.9 knots on a heading of 172 degrees. The rig is 60% owned by Chevron with other partners controlling the balance. The picture above is a storage facility for other platforms. I will use it as a reference for the photos to follow

Here is a shot of Bigfoot from about a mile away. The white boat is a ferry. The rig storage facility is on the right.

Getting closer.

Starting to take form.

Now across from the storage facility. You can get a relative idea of its size compared to the other platforms.

She is being pushed and pulled by eight ocean-going tugs.

A closer shot yet.

This one gives you a good shot of the tugs. For reference, the hight of the legs from the water to the top of the red stripe is 85 feet.

Here is a photo showing the platform as it reaches the mouth of the Gulf.

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Published by John W. Howell

I have been working in business for over forty years and now have the time to work in special areas of interest. My passion has always been to create compelling stories of fiction. I have authored six novels and am working on my Seventh. The first novel is still in manuscript form and being utilized as a door stop in the laundry room. The second is a contemporary fiction novel of 89,000 words and is complete and I am currently seeking a publisher. I also write poetry but have not had the guts to share any with anyone. The one time I read a piece to a person their only comment was, “it doesn’t rhyme.” I will continue to write and hopefully my blog, Fiction Favorites at www.johnwhowell.com will provide some entertainment and an interesting thought or two. I live in the Austin area with my wife Molly and an assortment of loving pets.

66 thoughts on “Views of the Neighborhood – Big Foot”

  1. Wow, John. You had to know there was a ‘wow’ coming from me. I understand the science that explains how this can float and be moved without tipping over, but it’s still amazing to see. Thanks for hanging out for a while and sharing the journey with us.

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  4. WOW. This is amazing. Unbelievable how big the platform is. Great photography, John. Really enjoyed seeing this. I’d go klicking mad with my camera … 🙂
    Have a wonderful Sunday. x

    Liked by 1 person

    1. You would, Dina. I have a drone (which I still need to gain more practice) and I could imagine going up on top and taking photos with a downward view. Maybe next time. Thank you for the visit and comments.

      Liked by 1 person

  7. I’m so glad you had a great day for the photos, and it’s great to see another platform headed for its new home. Were you in the area when Bullwinkle left? We came down to watch that. The funniest thing about the departure of that jacket is that a lot of coastal sailors lost one of their best landmarks. We didn’t know how accustomed we were to seeing that thing looming up over the horizon!

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    1. No I was living in the Midwest when Bullwinkle was deployed. That must have been something. I can see how the navigational reference would be lost. Thank you, Linda for the visit and comment.

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  11. Happy Sunday, John. When I saw the “Big Foot” title, I thought of everything *but* the drilling rig. So let me get it out of my system… Good Golly Miss Molly!!!
    So… the big platform is as big or nearly as big as the whole storage facility? Bigger maybe?
    Regardless of any thoughts I might have about big oil (fleeting or lingering) these posts absolutely fascinate me.
    You did a great job of leading us into the photo story and explaining increasing closeups, with just a few words. Stunning post, John.
    Now get your blanket, beer, and popcorn ready. Enjoy the game. Hugs.

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  12. That’s so cool. Just saying, one of the key elements for a good horror story is isolation. Miles offshore, you can’t leave the facility, some creature from the deep shows up, etc. These days it’s not hard to sell a storm that prevents rescue. The hero must rise and deal with the problem.

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  13. This is extraordinary. I’ve never seen anything like this or close to it. And, what a feat to move it! Engineers are amazing – building bridges, rockets, and complex structures such as this. Thank you for sharing the experience with us. It had to have taken your breath away. Hope your day is as sunny as when you took these photos. 🙂

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  23. WOW John and thank you for your patience in taking these shots…what a scene they show. A real engineering feat. Hugs for you. Xx

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