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Expedition 301
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Journal
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11 August 2004
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SAMPLE PARTY and CORK ASSEMBLY
Two big events happened onboard today. The first was the “sampling party” for the sediments. The sediment cores have all been described and analyzed for physical properties data, so they were now ready to be sampled for “personal research.” This means that any of the scientists who hadn’t collected samples for their shore-based research project were able to do that today. I decided to make it to this first event. What a challenge that was!!! The sampling party began in the core laboratory at 0600 this morning… OUCH! I have been working late and getting up late so this was a bit challenging.
The second big event was the testing of Hole 1301B to see if the drillers will be able to get the CORK past the problem spot in the 10 3/4-inch casing. The test was a success so the crew is working hard to assemble the CORK. This one is very complex because it will be collecting samples from several downhole levels. Work began on its assembly early this afternoon, and it is expected to continue well into tomorrow.
Here is a partial update for today given by Adam Klaus, Expedition Project Manager/IODP-USIO Staff Scientist (USA):
We are currently retrieving the drill pipe with the CORK installation test string. After we reentered Hole 1301B last night, the end of the 4 1/2-inch casing encountered some resistance entering the lower section of 10 3/4-inch casing. We had to use the top drive to slightly rotate it to get it to pass through. The casing with the bow-spring centralizers entered the lower section of 10 3/4-inch casing without having to be rotated and we only saw a little drag when they entered. We lowered the 4 1/2-inch casing only to the bottom of the 10 3/4-inch casing (we didn't want to risk pulling it back up through open hole) and then we pulled out. The 4 1/2-inch test string should be back on board in a couple of hours. Then we'll start assembling the Hole 1301B CORK in the early afternoon.
It will take quite a while to assemble the CORK. This time we are planning to use two umbilical cords (the new, big, yellow one and the grey, microbio line with interior of coated Teflon). We are also planning to use three packers this time. We won't have the final numbers until later, but the packers will be set at ~474, ~442, and ~380 mbsf. The lowermost one will be in the upper part of the uniform hole diameter as defined by the triple combo data. This is also about where we were able to set Keir and Andy's deepest hydrologic packer test.
Countdown to Astoria: 9 days
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 “SAMPLING PARTY” BEGINS. At 0600 this morning Paula Weiss, Marine Laboratory Specialist and Curator (USA), was putting cores on the tables so that the scientists could choose their research samples during today’s “sampling party.” The process lasted into the afternoon because of the large volume of sediments to be sampled; all the white cylinders in front of Paula are filled with cores.
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 SAMPLE STRATEGY. Many scientists still needed to collect samples from the cores. They spent the morning carefully examining the cores to see which samples would provide them the information they needed for their studies.
Shown from left to right are: Fumio Inagaki, Microbiologist (Japan); Satoshi Nakagawa, Microbiologist (Japan); Paula Weiss, Marine Laboratory Specialist and Curator (USA) (in background); Mark Lever, Microbiologist (USA); Shoichi Kiyokawa, Sedimentologist (Japan); and Shusako Goto, Physical Properties Specialist (Japan).
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 MARKING SAMPLES. Mark Lever, Microbiologist (USA), and Shoichi Kiyokawa, Sedimentologist (Japan), are marking a core for samples. Once the scientists choose sample locations in a core, they mark them with flags that have their names and requested sample length. In some cases, they collect the sample that they need themselves, and in other cases the marine laboratory specialists collect the samples for them.
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 COLLECTING SAMPLES FOR THE SCIENTISTS. Takamitsu Sugihara, Marine Laboratory Specialist (Japan), is collecting samples that have been marked by scientists in a sediment core. Working in the background is Steve Prinz, Marine Laboratory Specialist (USA).
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 PRESERVING SAMPLES. Once the samples are collected, they are sealed in a plastic bag or placed in sealed jar and stored away until the end of the cruise. At that time, the scientists can take the samples with them or the samples will be shipped by IODP to the scientists’ research facilities.
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 CORK TEST. There has been great concern about the condition of the casing in Hole 1301B; the 10 3/4-inch casing backed off and separated, leaving an 8-10 meter gap. The drillers have been concerned that the casing has shifted a bit and might not allow the CORK assembly past the problem zone. They made up a mock-up of the CORK assembly and lowered it into the hole early this morning and were very relieved when they were successful at getting it past the separated casing. This picture was taken as the operations people were examining the condition of the mock-up after it was brought back to the surface.
Shown from left to right are: Eduardo (Eddie) Tan, Floorman (Philippines); Wayne Malone, Offshore Manager (USA); Andy Fisher, Co-Chief Scientist (USA); Mike Storms, Operations Manager (USA); and Nicholas (Nick) Parrish, Driller (USA).
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 CORK ASSEMBLY BEGINS. Since the CORK test was a success, the operations and marine laboratory specialist staffs have been working “full steam ahead” to build the actual 1301B CORK assembly. Here, Jurie Kotze, Electronics Technician (South Africa), and Eric Jackson, Marine Laboratory Specialist, (USA) are attaching a centralizer to the bottom of the 4 1/2-inch casing which is the lowest part of the CORK assembly. The centralizers will keep the assembly from rubbing against the casing when it is inside the hole. The long narrow silver cylinders are screens through which formation waters will enter the CORK once it is installed.
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 CORK CHECK. The CORK specialists spent the day doing a final check of the CORK valves and sampling tubes on the CORK head. They expect this to be attached to the assembly tomorrow.
Shown from left to right are: Sam Hulme, Inorganic Geochemist (USA); Geoff Wheat, CORK Geochemist (USA); and Andy Fisher, Co-Chief Scientist).
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