Gulf Oil Spill: BP finally connects mile-long pipe (updated)

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evnow

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 22, 2010
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Update :
BP finally connects mile-long pipe to begin capping oil spill

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2010/05/16/94233/bp-finally-connects-mile-long.html#ixzz0o7t6RA3v


The tube "is fashioned from a 4-inch pipe and is inserted into the leaking riser, from which the majority of the flow is coming. While not collecting all of the leaking oil, this tool is an important step in reducing the amount of oil being released into Gulf waters," said a statement from the Deepwater Horizon Incident Joint Information Center.

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6470

BP%20sprearing%20riser.jpg


Note the BP graphic that shows barely any oil "spilling". Here is the real video ...

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WYFYVNvgg-A[/youtube]
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http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/05/08/gulf-oil-spill-containment_n_569031.html

A novel but risky attempt to use a 100-ton steel-and-concrete box to cover a deepwater oil well gushing toxic crude into the Gulf of Mexico was aborted Saturday after ice crystals encased it, an ominous development as thick blobs of tar began washing up on Alabama's white sand beaches.

Here is plan B.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-05-08/bp-s-oil-spill-hive-buzzes-with-new-ideas-to-stop-leaky-well.html

BP calls its blowout plan “top kill.” The idea would be to block the oil from rising and direct it back into the well, Fryar said. Scientists and engineers working on the project were even considering untried methods such as injecting golf balls and other debris into the blowout preventer to gum it up, he said.
 
Yes, "gas hydrates" formed in the box, because of the high pressure down at 5,000 feet.
The funny thing is, I've seen a few specials on gas hydrate, many say it's the next form of "energy" if they can only figure out how to "capture" the methane being converted to frozen hydrate.

I guess they found a way, but not when they wanted to :(

http://marine.usgs.gov/fact-sheets/gas-hydrates/title.html
 
US coal mine tragedy...oil rig...San Antonio gas line fire and refinery fire...Russian coal mine explosion...

Just in time for Mothers Day I'm thinking Momma Earth's a tad upset... And if Momma ain't happy.. :(
 
The idea of inserting a 4" tube into the 21" riser tube has succeeded. BP says they care capturing most of the oil - though they refuse to say how much.
 
garygid said:
4-inch diameter tube into a 21-inch diameter riser?

Yes - they have a rubber diaphragm that should hold the oil back a bit increasing the capture. Remember, the drill pipe is in that raiser as well (see the graphic I added at the top).

Anyway, they are going to try the top kill (a.k.a. junk shot) next week.
 
Material Safety Data Sheets for the two most-used dispersants:
Corexit_EC9500A
Corexit_EC9527A

EC9500A contains light hydrotreated petroleum distillates and propylene glycol. It's lethal to fish and shrimp in significant concentrations. It has a 'low' hazard to any human that's wearing gloves, a protective suit, a face splash shield and at least a half-face respirator mask... And it's the least toxic of the two. The 9527 can be absorbed thru the skin and will kill rabbits so exposed.

"ENVIRONMENTAL PRECAUTIONS :
Do not contaminate surface water."

The EPA apparently approved use of products that are known to be environmental hazards because the risk is lower than the damage caused by oil on the beaches and wetlands.

"Apart from marine life, has the Unified Command been able to make an assessment on the effects of the dispersant on the environment?
The harm or toxicity of dispersed oil in the environment is generally associated with the oil rather than with the dispersant alone. However, use of dispersants breaks up a slick of oil on the surface into smaller droplets that can go beneath the surface. When applied on the surface before spills reach the coastline, dispersants will potentially decrease exposure for surface-dwelling organisms (such as sea birds) and intertidal species (such as mangroves and salt marshes), while increasing exposure to a smaller population of aquatic life found deeper in the water. It is unknown if dispersed oil has toxic implications to the human population because bioaccumulation through the food chain has not been evaluated."
 
As an aside - anyone else see the movie "Crude"?

http://www.crudethemovie.com/
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duFXuRnd2CU[/youtube]

It's good to know that BP's not doing anything in the Gulf that oil companies aren't already doing in other parts of the world. :(
 
The whole saga shows how stupid deep ocean drilling is. Technologically oil companies are utterly unprepared for the risks involved.

To allow deep ocean drilling is beyong stupid.

But, I'm sure as the memory of this "spill" fades and oil prices rise - we will start hearing "drill baby drill" again.
 
"60 minutes" has an interview with someone who was on the "Deepwater Horizon", you might want to try and catch it tonight.
 
mitch672 said:
"60 minutes" has an interview with someone who was on the "Deepwater Horizon", you might want to try and catch it tonight.

Yes, this should be interesting. IIRC, his sworn testimony said there was a difference of opinion between BP & Transocean. Transocean wanted to kill the well because of problematic test results (they knew the cement job had problems) - but BP wanted to continue.
 
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/05/16/60minutes/main6490197.shtml?tag=contentMain;contentBody

Here is the long interview article along with clips.

Who is going to jail ?
 
Thanks guys. Just watched the videos. The info here seems to fit 'around' the 'rumor' post from the oil drum.

[wearing cynical hat] Jail? Unlikely. In this batch of oil-drilling brownies we add two companies with tons of bucks, well compensated 'regulators' and politicians, and a bloody huge pile of lawyers highly skilled in dragging things out for more than 10 years. Blend with 500,000 pounds of dispersants, millions of barrels of crude, and enough sea water to make a satisfying consistency. :cry:

If Andrea decides to stick around the planet a bit longer, I hope she's haunting the CEO of BP.

[edit] later 60 Minutes video posts say that Andrea survived the rig fire! Good news! [/edit]
 
I have no problem with the executives, lawyers, and politicans not going to jail, but there is something so much more deserving the public should demand:

Anyone directly involved in the management of the rig, and the decision process that led to its ultimate destruction doesn't have to go to jail, no, that is far to "easy an out" for them.

here is all we need to insist they do:

They must live on the gulf coast, and I don't mean "nearby" I mean ON THE BEACH, they must "live off the land" eating the poisoned fish and seafood that they are responsible for.

Now, that is what I call ULTIMATE JUSTICE. Slow death.
 
The way I look at it - they are the drug mafia. Rest of the population are the drug addicts. Equally responsible for all death and destruction.

Something I started in another forum - "Cost of not owning a Nissan Leaf"
http://theeestory.com/topics/5836
 
Did you watch the 60 minutes broadcast? There was CRIMNAL negligence involved.

The Preventer's seal was damaged, it was closed and someone ran the drill and extracted some length of pipe though it. Chunks of the preventer seal where found in the tailings.

In spite of this, they chose to march on...

of the 2 controls to actuate the preventer, one was not working.

In spite of this, they chose to march on...

The pressure test could not be performed properly with the preventer damaged...

In spite of this, they chose to march on..

BP decided they would removed the drilling sludge, despite the fact it was a BAD IDEA.
the result: methane shot up uncontrollably. The well should have been capped, it was not stable.

No, this is clearly the result of bad decisions by BP, there is no one else responsible.
 
mitch672 said:
No, this is clearly the result of bad decisions by BP, there is no one else responsible.

Ofcource - not in the direct sense. Just as drug addicts are not responsible directly for the executions that drug mafia carry on regularly south of the border. But without the addiction & high demand, no one would attempt deep ocean drilling. I think it is important to make that connection between oil usage & the spill - to persuade people off the addiction.

BTW, we have only heard parts of the story in 60 minutes. Transocean is definitely as much responsible as BP - looks like the main problem with BP was to overrule Transocean and ask them to remove mud before all the ceilings. Problems with BOP, drilling etc were all Transocean's.

As Obama said, MMS has become too cozy with oil companies. All kinds of exemptions are being granted. In Norway & Brazil relief well is mandatory when ever a deep ocean well is drilled - why not here ?
 
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