Business Ethics: Deepwater simulation"Ethical Issues"

Rig Manager

From: Carey Winston, Senior Mechanic, Maintenance

To: Rig Manager

Subject: waste oil holding tank issue

To follow up on our conversation on the drilling floor this morning, I checked into that overflow valve on

the waste oil tank. It was as Bart had suspected not working. I tore it down and found the seals hardened

up and weren't holding a lick of pressure so went ahead and did a quick rebuild. (Jasper's adding to the

parts run next week so we'll get replacement spares back in rig stores pretty quickly.)

Anyhow, with the valve off I took the opportunity to do a visual on the inside of the tank. No corrosion in

sight, but did discover the level gauge is off – way off. It says 75% full but in fact the tank is damn near

100%! Those 5 diesels we run not to mention all the other equipment throw off enough waste oil that by

tonight the holding tank will fill up and that overflow valve will start popping open and dump that sludge

overboard. (don't blame me, it's working as it should)

The Bankston is scheduled to arrive after the next round to offload all our no-discharge liquids including

the waste oil (and according to the grapevine bringing us some Texas size steaks courtesy of the big

Houston honcho). But like I said it won't be here until after the next round earliest. So you got another one

of those damned if you do damned if you don't decisions (glad I'm not in your boots)

that hotshot young engineer "Bright" Bart says he can install some piping to route the used oil back into

the diesels so the tank won't overflow. He'll install a filter so it won't be pure crud going back into the

engines, but he admits no filter can catch all the solvents and water and other stuff that makes those Cats

unhappy. Still, it's only temporary (just one round IF the Bankston gets here on time) and that way we

won't be dumping it over the side.

Heads up that "tie rod" Tyrone is already on the hunt for you to complain this will mess up his beautiful

Caterpillar MaK C-80s and swears that Bart's plan will shave 5 maybe 10 points or more off our

Equipment Condition Index this time around. Daryl I'm sure will back him up so be prepared to deal with

the chief wrench and for ALL the mechanics to come down on you like a ton a bricks if you give Bart the

OK. (Maybe a double portion of those Texas steaks to "sooth the savage beast"? -- just don't give them

mine!)

That's it. You know where to find me. CW