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doi:10.2204/iodp.proc.319.105.2010

Operations

Transit to Site C0011

While recovering the transponders at Site C0010 following completion of operations, the drill pipe was set up and racked in preparation for running into the next hole. The D/V Chikyu then transited to Site C0011. The location was reached at 1700 h on 25 August 2009.

Hole C0011A

Schlumberger engineers and technicians prepared the Schlumberger LWD and MWD tools for assembly, prior to drilling Hole C0011A (target depth = as deep as possible or 900 mbsf, water depth = 4049 m). Because the water depth was too great for remotely operated vehicle placement of transponders, the six transponders were dropped from the drillship; all were dropped by 0400 h on 26 August. At 0845 h on 26 August, the 12¼ inch bit LWD/MWD bottom-hole assembly (BHA) (Table T1) was run into the hole, and a calibration check was conducted between the Big Head transducers on the ship and the transponders on the seafloor. At 1900 h on 26 August, a prespud meeting was held to determine target depth (determined as 900 m LWD depth below seafloor [LSF]), jet-in program, and conditions for stopping drilling. Spud-in of Hole C0011A was achieved at 2239 h on 26 August, and the mudline (i.e., water depth) was confirmed to be 4049 m by MWD gamma ray measurement. After jetting in to 41 m drilling depth below seafloor, drilling the 12¼ inch hole commenced. There were short wiper trips and sweeps to maintain good borehole condition and to prevent the BHA from getting stuck in the hole. After total depth (952 m LSF) was reached at 2359 h on 29 August, we spotted 121 m3 of 1.30 g/cm3 kill mud and began pulling out of the hole. The BHA reached the surface at 1300 h on 30 August, and the tools were laid down for LWD data recovery. Meanwhile, the Chikyu moved to the rendezvous point for the supply ship, the Kaiko, to load and backload cargo for Expedition 322.

Transit to Yokkaichi

After finishing laydown of the BHA and drill pipe and finishing cargo loading with the Kaiko, the supply ship was released and the Chikyu continued moving to Ise Bay to dock at the port of Yokkaichi, Japan, reaching the headlands at 1600 h on 30 August.