The Trap

As a geologist, one of the things we are responsible for is monitoring the gas.  We use a "trap" that is mounted on the possum belly.  The possum belly receives the flow of drilling fluid that was used to drill the hole.  It is located at the head of the shaker.  The shaker is a device that removes cuttings from the drilling fluid after it has been down hole.  The trap is attached so that its lower end is constantly beneath the surface of mud flowing in the possum belly. The mud is drawn into the trap where it is agitated to release the different gases which are drawn off for measurement. This trap weights 287 pounds (OK maybe 40lbs).  It is an awkward shape and a pain in the rear end to hook on to the possum belly. 

A few jobs ago, I was asked to take the trap up to the possum belly and get it all set up by myself!  I didn't want to look like a wimp, so I did.  I got it all the way up to the shakers and I just could not lift it up (shoulder height) by myself.  My lead had to come out to help me lift it up.  We get it set up, plug it in, and guess what?  The motor is not working!  He then tells me to take it down and carry it to the work shack, once again by myself.  I do this, needless to say I had black and blue legs for 2 weeks!  We end up getting a new one and get it set up. 

We finish the well 18 days later and he tells me to go up to the shakers and take the trap down.  GRRRR!  By this time, I know some of the roughnecks, so I feel comfortable to ask them for help.  I get up there and there is one guy standing there.  I get him to help me and he ends up doing it all by himself!  He takes it down and carries it all the way to our work shack! 

I walk in and all the guys I work with are rolling with laughter.  I don't get what is so funny!  Turns out this guy that helped me is the MUD ENGINEER! Oopsies!