The Gulf Deepwater Oil Spill - the Top Kill Attempt

[DMac]

The Gulf Deepwater Oil Spill - the Top Kill Attempt (http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6505)


Posted by Heading Out on May 25, 2010 - 9:30am

The next attempt to shut off the flow from the leaking BP well in the Gulf is still aimed to occur early Wednesday (http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSTRE6430AR20100524). The attempt will use the “top kill” method to try and kill the well. WhileI have described this in earlier posts, the Unified Command have put out a video animation of the process, and there was an earlier diagram. So I am going to use these, which are simplified explanations, with some additional comments and tie it in to more facts that came out of briefings today, to try and give a more detailed explanation. Here is the animation:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4YG7J-Ws6k

Before the process could begin, however, it was necessary to significantly modify the blow-out preventer (BOP) that sits on the top of the well. For those interested (its a bit like watching one of the operations on the space station) BP has assembled a short (5 minute) selection of the video footage of the various steps. (http://bp.concerts.com/gom/rovs_24052010.htm)When watching it, you should bear in mind that the ROV’s carrying out the different steps have to operate in a relatively crowded environment.

http://www.theoildrum.com/files/2%20Crowded%20waters.jpg
the well neighborhood (http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/incident_response/STAGING/local_assets/downloads_pdfs/Press_Tech_Briefing_kent_wells.pdf)

The tasks to be done included removing, modifying and replacing the control box (or pod) that operates the valves that open and close the flow lines into the choke and kill lines on the well. Other than this, the flow lines to the flow and choke lines themselves had to be replaced with the feed lines (shown in the animation) that will carry the mud into the well. Even tightening a fitting that had worked loose takes time, when it has to be done using an ROV (with the operator at the surface needing to see what he is doing while getting the ROV to hold the necessary wrench and turn the fitting). The old feed lines then had to be cut from the BOP, and replaced.

http://www.theoildrum.com/files/1%20Tighten%20nut.jpg
ROV image showing the control pod fitting being tightened

This involved
* cutting off the choke and kill line connectors
* Cutting the bolts on a flange
* Removing the clamp
* Removing the pipe flange end
* Buffing and cleaning the pipe end
* Preparing to attach the new jumper lines. (This had to be done for each feed line)
* A special hydraulic connector attached to the 150-ft jumper cables was used to latch onto the old inlets. This is slow work (as the video shows) and as a result this part of the work has taken seven days. (The jumper shown in the video was attached on the 16th and chained down into position on the 17th.)


When the connections and fittings have all been made and checked, and the control pod operation validated, and the necessary permits from MMS and others obtained, then the process can begin.

The process will be controlled from the Q4000 (http://www.helixesg.com/Portals/0/PDFs/q4000.pdf), which is designed to have the capabilities needed. Two lines feed from the vessel to the BOP. The first carries the control feeds through an umbilical, while the second is a riser that carries the mud down to the flexible hoses and jumper lines into the BOP itself. This mud, at about twice the density of water, will be delivered from the two high-pressure Schlumberger MD 1000 mud pumps (https://exchange-staging2.dnv.com/taridocs/TA-CERT/34%5Corasaxxx.htm) made by Schlumberger and will flow through the two feed lines that were the choke and kill circuits, into the well itself, below the main rams of the BOP.

http://www.theoildrum.com/files/3%20Kill%20circuit.jpg
Top kill circuit (http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/incident_response/STAGING/local_assets/downloads_pdfs/Press_Tech_Briefing_kent_wells.pdf)

The pumps will deliver the mud into the lines at a pressure of 6,800 psi, but as Kinuachdrach has correctly noted, it will then acquire the pressure from the full 5,000 ft column of mud as it flows down to the BOP, and enters the flow channel carrying the oil. Now we know that the BOP rams are at least partially closed. If they are planning on using golf balls for the “junk shot”, it is feasible to surmise that the maximum width of the flow channel is no more than a third of a golf ball diameter (http://www.leaderboard.com/GLOSSARY_BALLDIAMETER). Not arguing the merits of American vs British ball sizes, let us assume that this is roughly half-an-inch (though it may have a greater length).

However, as flow volumes go up it requires more and more pressure for the fluid to get through a small gap. And at a given delivery pressure, only a certain flow volume will thus be able to escape that way. As long as this pressure exceeds that in the well, the net result will then be that the mud begins to push the oil and gas back down the well, and the well fills up with mud. The weight of that mud should then be enough to exert a pressure on the bottom of the well that is enough to exceed the fluid pressure in the rock and therefore stabilize the well and stop the flow of fluid out. Cement can then be pumped into the well to seal the top end. (Or with the flow stopped, another BOP can be put on the well to seal it). The main worry is that the hole in the top of the BOP is small enough to contain the additional flow volumes, and not allow the entire flow to escape upwards rather than being forced down the well. The higher flows might, in addition, if they do exit the riser, further erode the openings. This could increase the oil flow, as it lowers the resistance. (If this happened then the LMRP will be deployed).

There are, however, a number of caveats to this operation. If the pressure in the well gets too high it can cause fractures in the rock at the bottom of the well, and this can cause the mud in the well to flow into the rock, rather than sitting in the well holding the pressure against the oil pressure.

There are also concerns with the condition of the bottom of the well (http://www.upstreamonline.com/live/article215908.ece), and whether this will have any impact on the flow of mud back down to the well and in sealing it.


Suttles said BP could not be certain but diagnostic tests on the well seem to indicate the flow is not coming up the main bore.

The well also contains obstructions that are restricting the flow rate.

It is impossible to know for certain what those obstructions are, Suttles said, but cured cement and rocks from the formations that crews drilled through could be partially clogging the well.


If the top kill fails, then the next step will be to cut off the riser, and use the top hat that is sitting on the sea bed near the well, to capture the flow in the LMRP option.

http://www.theoildrum.com/files/6.%20Top%20cap.jpg
The Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) option (http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globalbp_uk_english/incident_response/STAGING/local_assets/downloads_pdfs/Press_Tech_Briefing_kent_wells.pdf)

Were it me, I might contact Atlas Tocco (http://www.ajaxtocco.com/default.asp?ID=2) and have them look into connecting up an induction heating coil (http://www.ajaxtocco.com/default.asp?id=107)around the outside of the bottom of the riser section. It might give them the occasional additional bit of heat on the inside surface that might be needed to dislodge any inconvenient crystals that might form, without interfering with the internal flow channels.

As a point of scale for the video from the riser leak, the amount of dispersant that is being ejected into the water is about 14,000 gallons a day (http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=881088) or about 10 gallons a minute (quarter of a barrel roughly). A 5,000 bd flow is around 150 gals/minute.

This came from Doug Suttles teleconference (http://cgvi.uscg.mil/media/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=881088) in which he noted that BP have now spent around $800 million. He noted that oil levels in the water near the well are being measured at 10 ppm (parts per million), against an EPA limit for oil discharge which is 15 ppm. However it is early in the monitoring cycle, and with a fleet of government sampling vessels now starting to work, the plumes and oil dispersant paths will be mapped in more detail in the weeks ahead.

[Large Sarge]

if the pictures of the hole in the sea floor emitting oil/gas are accurate, then this top kill will likely only increase the pressure on the hole.

making the hole in the sea floor grow larger.

it really is an oil volcano, if those pics are accurate.

[EE_]

This is like a monster movie where the good guys kill the monster only to have it come back to life and hack everyone to death.
I'm on pins and needles watching it.

[DMac]

if the pictures of the hole in the sea floor emitting oil/gas are accurate, then this top kill will likely only increase the pressure on the hole.

making the hole in the sea floor grow larger.

it really is an oil volcano, if those pics are accurate.




This is exactly what I was thinking. I get this eerie feeling that their attempt is going to backfire and open up a can of worms down there.

[jedemdasseine]

WTF I don't see any solution......

Might as well send Rube Goldberg down to the bottom of the ocean in a deep sea diving bell to see what solution he can come up with.

[sirgonzo420]

WTF I don't see any solution......

Might as well send Rube Goldberg down to the bottom of the ocean in a deep sea diving bell to see what solution he can come up with.




I lol'd.

[Large Sarge]

I think they need to consider the nuke option,

Maybe they should have it prepositioned before they do this topkill thing

drill down so many thousand feet

and place the nuke there

if the top kill goes into disaster mode, they detonate the nuke

[DMac]

This is the backup plan in case the Top Kill fails:

BP Progressing LMRP in Parallel with Top Kill (http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=93712&rss=true)

snip


LMRP Option

Being progressed in parallel with plans for the top kill is development of a lower marine riser package (LMRP) cap containment option. This would first involve removing the damaged riser from the top of the BOP, leaving a cleanly-cut pipe at the top of the BOP's LMRP. The LMRP cap, an engineered containment device with a sealing grommet, would be connected to a riser from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship and then placed over the LMRP with the intention of capturing most of the oil and gas flowing from the well and transporting it to the drillship on the surface. The LMRP cap is already on site and it is anticipated that this option will be available for deployment by the end of May.

Additional options also continue to be progressed, including the option of lowering a second blow-out preventer, or a valve, on top of the MC 252 BOP.



Sarge,

RE: Nukes - I agree with you. My only issue is ignorance of what kind of repercussions nuke damage will have upon the surrounding sea floor. I haven't seen too many write-ups on the nuclear option.

[mick silver]

why have they not use a deep sea diving bell to see what they can do from it ... you would think they would want a few men down there to help work on this ... are have i miss something

[Large Sarge]

why have they not use a deep sea diving bell to see what they can do from it ... you would think they would want a few men down there to help work on this ... are have i miss something


its a mile down

can u do that ??

I thought ROV's was it

[mick silver]

sarge i thought they could use a bell to go that deep .. i maybe wrong

[Large Sarge]

This is the backup plan in case the Top Kill fails:

BP Progressing LMRP in Parallel with Top Kill (http://www.rigzone.com/news/article.asp?a_id=93712&rss=true)

snip


LMRP Option

Being progressed in parallel with plans for the top kill is development of a lower marine riser package (LMRP) cap containment option. This would first involve removing the damaged riser from the top of the BOP, leaving a cleanly-cut pipe at the top of the BOP's LMRP. The LMRP cap, an engineered containment device with a sealing grommet, would be connected to a riser from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship and then placed over the LMRP with the intention of capturing most of the oil and gas flowing from the well and transporting it to the drillship on the surface. The LMRP cap is already on site and it is anticipated that this option will be available for deployment by the end of May.

Additional options also continue to be progressed, including the option of lowering a second blow-out preventer, or a valve, on top of the MC 252 BOP.



Sarge,

RE: Nukes - I agree with you. My only issue is ignorance of what kind of repercussions nuke damage will have upon the surrounding sea floor. I haven't seen too many write-ups on the nuclear option.


the damage from the nuke would be minimal in comparison to the oil

the radiation would be dispersed in all the sea water

they did a lot of underground testing of nukes

pretty easy to figure out how many megatons, distance from the gusher, and depth of the hole.

[DMac]

why have they not use a deep sea diving bell to see what they can do from it ... you would think they would want a few men down there to help work on this ... are have i miss something


Mick, I could be wrong but I don't think anyone but the more advanced Navies of the world have the kind of equipment required to perform work 5000 feet below sea level.

And with BP acting as commander in chief of the spill no navy is helping out.

[Large Sarge]

you know maybe what you do is use 3 nukes

a triangle formation

use a kind of shape charge

point each blast towards the gusher

they each push the dirt towards the gusher

[Large Sarge]

you know maybe what you do is use 3 nukes

a triangle formation

use a kind of shape charge

point each blast towards the gusher

they each push the dirt towards the gusher




I am afraid with the PSI and volumes they are talking about, using 1 nuke is not going to do it.

[Horn]

A grommet.

Probably needed to be designed, molded, and passed by ISO standards in Texas, should be completed sometime next month.

I think they're spending more time on 3d planning than at the actual well head.

How come all these options aren't ready to go in the first 24hours?

[mick silver]

i bet bp shorting there stocks ... if they are there a win a win for them . can a company bet on there selfs win or lose

[jedemdasseine]

How BP views the ocean.....

http://www.underseawalk.com/images/thewalk.jpg
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_UWyntwTPNFE/St3LzdZMZSI/AAAAAAAAAuc/I57xTEz2r40/s320/HRP_DOI25_02.NEMO,+MR.+RAY+AND+THE+SCHOOLKIDS.jpg
http://paperspaceships.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/UrsulaTheLittleMermaid.jpg
http://www.historyvortex.org/SeaMonsterGodzilla2.jpg

[Large Sarge]

or if you could stagger a few nukes

i.e.

1 nuke 3000 feet down

1 nuke 5000 feet down

etc

that way a huge portion of the pipeline is sealed for good

[Horn]

A nuke could effect wells all the way down the line.

IMO this "top kill" method seems like something that should have already been perfected at such depths.

It's not like this exact scenario couldn't have been fathomed as long ago as they started deepwater drilling.

Most likely due to oil producers being so close in proximate to "the top", all kinds of insurance shortcuts can be taken up there.

[willie pete]

i bet bp shorting there stocks ... if they are there a win a win for them . can a company bet on there selfs win or lose


Sure they can, that's what Goldman-Sachs did :D

[mamboni]

British Petroleum was responsible for the Oil-Encabulator1 which was an attempt to copy the original BP Oil-Encabulator2. BP based their design on the paper The Oil-encabulator in industry3. Note that the paper cites prior references4 going back to 1914, so the technology has been around for some time. The purpose of all the Encabulators is to not only supply inverse reactive oil flow for use in unilateral phase detractors, but also be capable of automatically synchronizing off-shore cardinal grammeters.
Note that the Wobulator, as used in the Jerrold 900 series sweep generators is a different, although similar, device. After W.W. II the ATN-1 wobulator was on the surplus market and some of these may have been converted into encabulators, although I don't recall seeing that in the Surplus Conversion Manuals that were popular in the 1950s. In Surplus Conversion Manual Vol. 3 page 19, the section on the APN-1 Tail Warning Transmitter, has some information on the wobulator (Y-101). The gonkulator is a completely different device and should not be confused with the other devices with similar names. The Interocitor is completely different from the encabulator and is used for different purposes.

The BP Oil-encabulator had a number of problems and these were clearly stated in the BP data sheet2. For example on page 2 in the Application section:
Measuring Inverse Reactive Oil Flows
CAUTION: Because of the replenerative flow characteristics of positive pressures in unilateral phase detractors, the use of the quasistatic regeneration oscillator is recommended if Oil-encabulator is used in deep waters.
Reduction of sinusoidal Depleneration
Before use, the system should be calibrated with a gyro-controlled Sine-Wave Director, the output of which should be of the cathode follower type.
Note: If only Cosine-wave Directors are available, their output must be first fed into a Phase Inverter with parametric negative time compensators.
Caution: Only Phase Inverters with an output conductance of 17.8 +/- 1 millipoissons should be employed so as to match the characteristics of the quasistatic regeneration oscillators.
Voltage Levels above 750 V: Do Not Use Caged Resistors to get within self-contained rating of Oil-encabulator. Do use sequential transformers. See HBK-8005.
Multiple Ratings Optionally available in multiples of π (3.141593) and е (2.71828). If binary or other number-base systems rations are required, refer to factory for availability and pricing.
Conjometric Data Upon Request curves are supplied, at additional charge, for regions wherein the molecular MFP (Mean Free Path) is between 1.6 and 19.62 Angstrom units. Curves, relevant to regions outside the above listed range may be obtained from: Torricelli Barometer Works, Ltd. (TTD-3), London, W.C. 1, England In Canada address request to: Oil-encabuletors, Canadian-Francis Ltd., 496 Jean de Quen, Quebec 10, P.Q.
So it's clear that the BP Oil-encabulator had some problems and maybe that's why they are not often found on eBay.

[Horn]

Only Phase Inverters with an output conductance of 17.8 +/- 1 millipoissons should be employed

Duly noted, this could be the problem, so far we've only been able to produce them with a tolerance +/- 3.2 millipoisons. :redfc

[Large Sarge]

the thing I am thinking is that the well itself is 30,000+ feet deep

and the pressures/volumes of oil/gas coming out are HUGE


so basically you need to move enough earth that it seals that up

I do not know, but just a guesstimate, I would say you need to get a third (or 10,000 feet of pipeline) closed.

to seal the oil volcano
preferably the middle third of the pipeline (10,000 - 20,000 feet deep)

[DMac]

OceanFuturesSociety — 24 May 2010 — The Ocean Futures Expedition Team discovered this massive oil slick just 24 miles off the coast of Louisiana. The oil stretched as far as the eye could see and down to about 15 to 25 feet deep. Amongst the muck swims a Man 'o War jellyfish and a small fish that swims alongside for protection. The team is encountering many floating globs of rust colored oil; dark black fresh crude; and oily surfaces as they explore the coast.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKGMXBNd1Ho

[Spectrism]

British Petroleum was responsible for the Oil-Encabulator1 which was an attempt to copy the original BP Oil-Encabulator2. BP based their design on the paper The Oil-encabulator in industry3. Note that the paper cites prior references4 going back to 1914, so the technology has been around for some time. The purpose of all the Encabulators is to not only supply inverse reactive oil flow for use in unilateral phase detractors, but also be capable of automatically synchronizing off-shore cardinal grammeters.
Note that the Wobulator, as used in the Jerrold 900 series sweep generators is a different, although similar, device. After W.W. II the ATN-1 wobulator was on the surplus market and some of these may have been converted into encabulators, although I don't recall seeing that in the Surplus Conversion Manuals that were popular in the 1950s. In Surplus Conversion Manual Vol. 3 page 19, the section on the APN-1 Tail Warning Transmitter, has some information on the wobulator (Y-101). The gonkulator is a completely different device and should not be confused with the other devices with similar names. The Interocitor is completely different from the encabulator and is used for different purposes.

The BP Oil-encabulator had a number of problems and these were clearly stated in the BP data sheet2. For example on page 2 in the Application section:
Measuring Inverse Reactive Oil Flows
CAUTION: Because of the replenerative flow characteristics of positive pressures in unilateral phase detractors, the use of the quasistatic regeneration oscillator is recommended if Oil-encabulator is used in deep waters.
Reduction of sinusoidal Depleneration
Before use, the system should be calibrated with a gyro-controlled Sine-Wave Director, the output of which should be of the cathode follower type.
Note: If only Cosine-wave Directors are available, their output must be first fed into a Phase Inverter with parametric negative time compensators.
Caution: Only Phase Inverters with an output conductance of 17.8 +/- 1 millipoissons should be employed so as to match the characteristics of the quasistatic regeneration oscillators.
Voltage Levels above 750 V: Do Not Use Caged Resistors to get within self-contained rating of Oil-encabulator. Do use sequential transformers. See HBK-8005.
Multiple Ratings Optionally available in multiples of π (3.141593) and е (2.71828). If binary or other number-base systems rations are required, refer to factory for availability and pricing.
Conjometric Data Upon Request curves are supplied, at additional charge, for regions wherein the molecular MFP (Mean Free Path) is between 1.6 and 19.62 Angstrom units. Curves, relevant to regions outside the above listed range may be obtained from: Torricelli Barometer Works, Ltd. (TTD-3), London, W.C. 1, England In Canada address request to: Oil-encabuletors, Canadian-Francis Ltd., 496 Jean de Quen, Quebec 10, P.Q.
So it's clear that the BP Oil-encabulator had some problems and maybe that's why they are not often found on eBay.




Heavy doses of frequency grease will smooth the differential encountered on these encabulators. Cyclic extremes are always a risk when we get to the limits of modulated norms.

[Spectrism]

However, as flow volumes go up it requires more and more pressure for the fluid to get through a small gap. And at a given delivery pressure, only a certain flow volume will thus be able to escape that way. As long as this pressure exceeds that in the well, the net result will then be that the mud begins to push the oil and gas back down the well, and the well fills up with mud. The weight of that mud should then be enough to exert a pressure on the bottom of the well that is enough to exceed the fluid pressure in the rock and therefore stabilize the well and stop the flow of fluid out. Cement can then be pumped into the well to seal the top end. (Or with the flow stopped, another BOP can be put on the well to seal it). The main worry is that the hole in the top of the BOP is small enough to contain the additional flow volumes, and not allow the entire flow to escape upwards rather than being forced down the well. The higher flows might, in addition, if they do exit the riser, further erode the openings. This could increase the oil flow, as it lowers the resistance. (If this happened then the LMRP will be deployed).

There are, however, a number of caveats to this operation. If the pressure in the well gets too high it can cause fractures in the rock at the bottom of the well, and this can cause the mud in the well to flow into the rock, rather than sitting in the well holding the pressure against the oil pressure.


Sounds like what I saw as the problem with this plan. His pressure estimates are smaller than mine. I was figuring more than 10,000 psi.

If this fails, it probably will make the gusher worse.

[Defender]

Suttles said BP could not be certain but diagnostic tests on the well seem to indicate the flow is not coming up the main bore.
If this is true than all attempts to close the riser (top-kill, junk-shot, LMRP) are moot.

[mamboni]

British Petroleum was responsible for the Oil-Encabulator1 which was an attempt to copy the original BP Oil-Encabulator2. BP based their design on the paper The Oil-encabulator in industry3. Note that the paper cites prior references4 going back to 1914, so the technology has been around for some time. The purpose of all the Encabulators is to not only supply inverse reactive oil flow for use in unilateral phase detractors, but also be capable of automatically synchronizing off-shore cardinal grammeters.
Note that the Wobulator, as used in the Jerrold 900 series sweep generators is a different, although similar, device. After W.W. II the ATN-1 wobulator was on the surplus market and some of these may have been converted into encabulators, although I don't recall seeing that in the Surplus Conversion Manuals that were popular in the 1950s. In Surplus Conversion Manual Vol. 3 page 19, the section on the APN-1 Tail Warning Transmitter, has some information on the wobulator (Y-101). The gonkulator is a completely different device and should not be confused with the other devices with similar names. The Interocitor is completely different from the encabulator and is used for different purposes.

The BP Oil-encabulator had a number of problems and these were clearly stated in the BP data sheet2. For example on page 2 in the Application section:
Measuring Inverse Reactive Oil Flows
CAUTION: Because of the replenerative flow characteristics of positive pressures in unilateral phase detractors, the use of the quasistatic regeneration oscillator is recommended if Oil-encabulator is used in deep waters.
Reduction of sinusoidal Depleneration
Before use, the system should be calibrated with a gyro-controlled Sine-Wave Director, the output of which should be of the cathode follower type.
Note: If only Cosine-wave Directors are available, their output must be first fed into a Phase Inverter with parametric negative time compensators.
Caution: Only Phase Inverters with an output conductance of 17.8 +/- 1 millipoissons should be employed so as to match the characteristics of the quasistatic regeneration oscillators.
Voltage Levels above 750 V: Do Not Use Caged Resistors to get within self-contained rating of Oil-encabulator. Do use sequential transformers. See HBK-8005.
Multiple Ratings Optionally available in multiples of π (3.141593) and е (2.71828). If binary or other number-base systems rations are required, refer to factory for availability and pricing.
Conjometric Data Upon Request curves are supplied, at additional charge, for regions wherein the molecular MFP (Mean Free Path) is between 1.6 and 19.62 Angstrom units. Curves, relevant to regions outside the above listed range may be obtained from: Torricelli Barometer Works, Ltd. (TTD-3), London, W.C. 1, England In Canada address request to: Oil-encabuletors, Canadian-Francis Ltd., 496 Jean de Quen, Quebec 10, P.Q.
So it's clear that the BP Oil-encabulator had some problems and maybe that's why they are not often found on eBay.




Heavy doses of frequency grease will smooth the differential encountered on these encabulators. Cyclic extremes are always a risk when we get to the limits of modulated norms.


This is true. However, there's an 80% likelihood that adjustments can be made to the vernial integrals using corroborated dingle arms, thought there's only a 50% chance of that. :P

[Spectrism]

Heavy doses of frequency grease will smooth the differential encountered on these encabulators. Cyclic extremes are always a risk when we get to the limits of modulated norms.


This is true. However, there's an 80% likelihood that adjustments can be made to the vernial integrals using corroborated dingle arms, thought there's only a 50% chance of that. :P


I was thinking along those same lines. I know the vernacular "dingle arms" sounds a bit cliche and common but who wants to call them by their original non-scripted nomadic norwegian (djulldingwrapens)? So it comes down to a half dozen in one and 50 in the other, all things considered.

Perhaps they will revisit this with the an anterior exculpationary retrospect in an effort to triangulate the skewed density presentation. I certainly hope so.

[Desolation LineTrimmer]

Funny how these animations and schematics conveniently do away with the oil rig wreckage.

[sirgonzo420]

Funny how these animations and schematics conveniently do away with the oil rig wreckage.


I'm surprised we don't see some smiling fishies down there in BP's artistic rendition.

[jaybone]

Suttles said BP could not be certain but diagnostic tests on the well seem to indicate the flow is not coming up the main bore.
If this is true than all attempts to close the riser (top-kill, junk-shot, LMRP) are moot.


Like plugging a dam from the outside, or a garden hose by taping it.
It might work for awhile, but the pressure will eventually destroy whatever repair is made.
When a repair is applied on the pressurized side of the leak, the pressure makes the repair stronger.

I am skeptical that this can ever be stopped, and it is truly horrifying.

But for homeowners with leaky concrete basins, this stuff is amazing:
http://www.cascadeblock.com/media/sealants_coatings_cleaners/waterplug.jpg
I have used it under several feet of water to seal a crack and it sets up underwater and under pressure just fine.

[Horn]

Suttles said BP could not be certain but diagnostic tests on the well seem to indicate the flow is not coming up the main bore.
If this is true than all attempts to close the riser (top-kill, junk-shot, LMRP) are moot.


Aha, I'm seeing clearly now. This is not unlike an anal fissure, top kill would be a problem there.

But the butt plug grommet should still hold, no?

[I am me, I am free]

BP CEO Hayward estimates the chances of success for the top kill at no more than 60 or 70 percent, and when given the track record of blue sky, rainbows, unicorns and clear oceans coming from BP, what he's *really* saying is "We have no idea what we're doing"

[StackerKen]

BP CEO Hayward estimates the chances of success for the top kill at no more than 60 or 70 percent, and when given the track record of blue sky, rainbows, unicorns and clear oceans coming from BP, what he's *really* saying is "We have no idea what we're doing"


I have heard if the top kill fails....It could make the gusher worse

[Spectrism]

BP CEO Hayward estimates the chances of success for the top kill at no more than 60 or 70 percent, and when given the track record of blue sky, rainbows, unicorns and clear oceans coming from BP, what he's *really* saying is "We have no idea what we're doing"


I have heard if the top kill fails....It could make the gusher worse


If it fails, the doomers will look like optimists.

[I am me, I am free]

BP CEO Hayward estimates the chances of success for the top kill at no more than 60 or 70 percent, and when given the track record of blue sky, rainbows, unicorns and clear oceans coming from BP, what he's *really* saying is "We have no idea what we're doing"


I have heard if the top kill fails....It could make the gusher worse


According to the stills and observations on that monkeyfister blog link which Ponce and Sarge posted, it's likely already 'worse'.

Count me as pro-nuke (a directional, 'shaped charge' shot at an angle, possibly 3 detonations at once as suggested by Sarge)

[ximmy]

This should work...

[jedemdasseine]

I think there's enough chutzpah around to fill the gush.

[I am me, I am free]

This should work...


Whether it works or not, it NEEDS to be done.

[jedemdasseine]

This should work...

haha. :D

Brilliant!

[DMac]

Louisiana using state power to get a hold of the situation:


Attorney General Buddy Caldwell tells Corps of Engineers state has emergency powers to build barrier islands (http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/attorney_general_buddy_caldwel.html)


Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sundayadvising them that the State of Louisiana was within its rights to rebuild barrier islands in order to combat the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Caldwell advised Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, commanding general of the Corps, that under the U.S. constitution the federal government does not have the legal authority to deny a state the right to conduct such emergency operations to protect its citizens and territory.

The letter cites recent interpretations of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, which reserves to the states those powers not specifically granted to the federal government. Caldwell contends that the statues governing fill permits usually required for such construction lack the necessary "clear statement" from Congress that the laws were intended to divest the states of their traditional emergency powers.

Caldwell ends by saying advising Antwerp to direct the New Orleans District of the Corps of Engineers to issue emergency permits. He also warns that if the district office "persists in its illegal and ill-advised efforts" to block the construction of the barriers, he will advise Gov. Bobby Jindal to go forward with the plans and challenge the Corps authority in court.

[StackerKen]

Louisiana using state power to get a hold of the situation:


Attorney General Buddy Caldwell tells Corps of Engineers state has emergency powers to build barrier islands (http://www.nola.com/news/gulf-oil-spill/index.ssf/2010/05/attorney_general_buddy_caldwel.html)


Louisiana Attorney General Buddy Caldwell sent a letter to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Sundayadvising them that the State of Louisiana was within its rights to rebuild barrier islands in order to combat the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.

Caldwell advised Lt. Gen. Robert L. Van Antwerp, commanding general of the Corps, that under the U.S. constitution the federal government does not have the legal authority to deny a state the right to conduct such emergency operations to protect its citizens and territory.

The letter cites recent interpretations of the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, which reserves to the states those powers not specifically granted to the federal government. Caldwell contends that the statues governing fill permits usually required for such construction lack the necessary "clear statement" from Congress that the laws were intended to divest the states of their traditional emergency powers.

Caldwell ends by saying advising Antwerp to direct the New Orleans District of the Corps of Engineers to issue emergency permits. He also warns that if the district office "persists in its illegal and ill-advised efforts" to block the construction of the barriers, he will advise Gov. Bobby Jindal to go forward with the plans and challenge the Corps authority in court.


Thats it.

That is what needs to be done in this and lots of other things and issues ....The Feds are Lame...The states need to start doing what the fed won't

[cigarlover]

Just a question for those in the know on this stuff. Why cant they just bring in another rig and drill into the same hole they were at? Originally they were going to cap that well and tap into it later. Why cant they just tap into it now? I know theres pipes and stuff coming out of it but that could be cut away by the submersibles couldnt it?

[Large Sarge]

Just a question for those in the know on this stuff. Why cant they just bring in another rig and drill into the same hole they were at? Originally they were going to cap that well and tap into it later. Why cant they just tap into it now? I know theres pipes and stuff coming out of it but that could be cut away by the submersibles couldnt it?


someone else posted, they use a tapered system, and use concrete on the way down (as well as steel pipe)

it was stated that the concrete takes 2 weeks to dry

so basically, after that, I think they are saying you could not slide a smaller pipe into the existing pipe

(also the pressure/PSI would increase dramatically, as you made a smaller aperture for escape)

plus now we have it leaking from the sea floor

I think the nuke is the only viable option now

this top kill thing is likely going to make things much much worse

[cigarlover]

So they cant just set their drill rig there and pump the oil out like they would normally do? If they are this clueless than all offshore drilling should be banned. Its not worth the environmental risks associated with it.

[Large Sarge]

I did hear a snippet

"all cameras will be shutoff during the top kill attempt"


gee I wonder why?
as the gunk goes in, and the pressures start building from below

pop goes the weasel

the whole dome goes flying off into the depths, and the ocean floor opens up gushing more gas and crude.....

no need to get that footage on the local news, people would be up in arms, a gaping hole in the ocean just spewing oil and gas

[Quantum]

WTF I don't see any solution......


Yup. At this point, I'm really believing that this was deliberate, and the failure to seal it off also deliberate.

Are these people really this dumb?

[Quantum]

pretty easy to figure out how many megatons, distance from the gusher, and depth of the hole.


It's not even in the megatons. The explosion can be smaller than Hiroshima, less than 10 kilotons.

[Desolation LineTrimmer]

What would be the oil industry motive for doing something like this on purpose?

[Large Sarge]

What would be the oil industry motive for doing something like this on purpose?


they are killing one of the richest sources of seafood on the whole planet

the great die off continues

all these companies are owned by the rothschilds

so their "motives" are really just following orders

see the ed griffin chemtrail movie, how chemtrails are destroying peoples gardens, and now only GMO seeds resistant to aluminum will grow

[Quantum]

What would be the oil industry motive for doing something like this on purpose?


Not British Petroleum, any more than "al-Qaeda" on 9/11.

There are countless satanic reasons to create a disaster of this magnitude. Some of them have been posted by others, and are very credible.

[Desolation LineTrimmer]

Come on guys, this is a public relations mega disaster for big oil and deep water drilling particularly. There is no motive to have perpetrated this. And if it was sabotage BP, or this Swiss company that was actually drilling, would scream it out to high heaven, since it would get them off the hook. No, this thing is not a demonic, rothschildean conspiracy, it's the result of greedy under preparation, and an exploding methane bubble.

[steveoc]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwQOD_Ir2vQ

+

http://www.playingfieldpromotions.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/jamie-archer.jpg

=

Problem Solved

[Spectrism]

I see no human design to deliberately cause this disaster. Such concepts are silly- unless evidence (other than greed & stupidity) can be presented.

[Desolation LineTrimmer]

The rednecks already figured it out with straw so the liberals steal the idea with hair.

[gunDriller]

This should work...


http://gold-silver.us/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=5630.0;attach=2097 ;image

i don't know. what about the hot-air factor ?

on the other hand, submerging almost the entire Congress to a depth of 5000 feet could have major side benefits. 8)

[sirgonzo420]

This should work...


Hear, hear! :D