Today we conducted an inspection with Marcelo Augusto Moreno da Silva Alves, member of the environmental agency from Pará (SEMAS). He visited the whole operation, updated with information from the drill rig and the science goals.
Team on site, led by Angela, did a sampling in superficial soil for microbiology analysis with hand auger. This data will be compared with results from the cores.
With new data acquired from yesterday's trip, we found the rocks at low tide (around 11am). The rock is mostly sandstone cemented with Fe-Mg oxides, with a few shells (upper left sample), probably from bivalves. Below the sandstone, sparse layers of unconsolidated grey clay may be found, similar to some cores. Fun fact: because of those clays' ability to become hard once they dry, some people describe its use as cement.
Today William and Angela had a field trip to "Bosque da Água" (Water's grove), looking for a first view of rocks described for the locals. Unfortunately, the tide was too high.
As the drill rig finished undergoing maintenance, the drilling resumed through poorly cemented fine sandstone. So far, the lithology varied between very well cemented mudstone, shale, beds of coal and now sandstone
As we say farewell to Isaac, Dayane, Alessandro and Rain, we got some help from a local professor to handle the cores. We need all the help we can get when the team gets shorter. After Isaac gets some rest, he will work on the cores from the first drill site in Acre, in Minnesota
After changing the drill bit, we welcomed new members of the team. William will put his sedimentology and mdis knowledge to the test, while Caio will get to know and experience the drilling project for the first time.
In between very well cemented mudstones and sandy siltstones, the night shift team recovered some shale samples. We have been seeing a cementation increase along every other core.
While the cores were coming out, the team was visited by some of the local professors. A big part of the project is to spread scientific knowledge to the local community, teaching about the evolution of the Amazonian rainforest for those curious enough to listen.
Even while the drill rig was undergoing some safety maneuvers, the science team didn't stop working. During the day, the team repaired one of the tents with some extra core liners.
The greenish shale cored at 506m depth will tell an interesting history.
The drilling continues during the day shift. During the night shift, the science activities will be stopped to perform the well and maintenance on the drill rig.
Cores are still coming, and both dayshift and nightshift teams are handling them well and taking samples at 500 meters. We are seeing a variation between mudstones, sandy siltstones and layers of coal.
As the drill column was being lowered, the dayshift team hung an info banner on the outside wall of the operation site, so that the locals can learn more about the project's purpose
In order to ensure the safety of the borehole, a decision was made to reduce the diameter of the drill. The cores are still going to come out, only now with a smaller diameter than before.
While the drilling company is working on adjustments to keep the borehole safe, our science team goes into the woods to search for outcrops. However, the tide was high and hid the outcrop. So, our activity turned just into a walk into the açaí woods.
The dayshift team finally got a full day's work after the drill got back from maintenance. Amidst core handling and gas sampling, some porewater were also collected by our expert Thayná.
After a couple of hours under maintenance, the drill got back to work, and still managed to reach 400 m during the night shift. In the last couple of meters, the lithology varied between fine sandstone, siltstone and mudstone.
New members on board. Welcome back Rain Blankenship and Thomás Miranda. They were present at the Acre site and their energy and expertise will be useful at the TADP second site.
We are drilling at 357 meters with good recovery. The mud sometimes becomes firm and dry, and the sand is firm. Here is a core recovered during the night shift at around 345 meters. The grayish portion is very fine sandstone. The greenish one is mudstone, and the reddish one is mudstone cemented by iron. We will assemble this puzzle when we open the core in Minnesota.
Tonight, Marcos Bolognini leads the night shift and performs the downhole geophysical logging. The Sonic (FWS) and Gamma Ray (GR) probes run smoothly. Thanks to Anarda Simões, Dailson Bertassoli, Isaac Bezerra, and the GEOSOL team for your help.
The logistics of the Marajó site are challenging. The distance along the river is longer than expected. However, the work needs to be done, and the probes are on their way using the local boat.
Considering the scientific activities time off, we changed the shift. Farewell, Carol Leite. The project manager Isaac Bezerra had a short break in his hometown. If you visit Belém, enjoy the delicious local dishes and the real Açaí.
The 7" enlargement operations, installation of the 5 3/4" casing, and cement operation, as well as the installation of the BOP, were completely successful. The Marajó site is an artwork and poetry.
A bulk rock sample was collected during the enlargement operations. This is a representative sample from the surface to 265.35 meters depth. It includes a mixture of sediments such as sub-rounded quartz pebbles and gravels, iron-cemented sandstone lithoclasts, pyritized plant remains, and sand of various grain sizes.
An iron duricrust pebble was recovered during the enlargement activities. We will find out where it came from during the Sampling Party at the CSD facilities in Minneapolis.
Activities were paused for maintenance and better performance. Clauses is always attentive to every detail, measuring all efforts for the success of drilling
