Two Xtraverts were sold to Antarctica NZ who manage the Cape Roberts Project on behalf of the six nations involved (USA, UK, Germany, Italy, Australia, NZ).
The Cape Roberts project involves scientific drilling so researchers can take core samples of the sea bed to analyse. The drilling rig is floating on sea ice (1.5-2.0m thick) 16 km off shore, where the operating temperature is between -35C to -5C. The drill drops through 200m of water and currently has drilled 625m into the floor bed.
The Xtraverts control mud pumps which are critical to the drilling process. The mud is pumped down the drilling core and is used as a lubricant, and a pressure control and brings back the core cuttings which are separated before the mud is reused. Without the Xtraverts the pumps don't go and the drilling can't continue.
|
