BP readies ''kill shot'' for leaking well head

jpak

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 09:09 AM
Original message

BP readies ''kill shot'' for leaking well head

http://www.wwl.com/BP-readies---kill-shot---for-leaking-well-head/7119113

Officials with BP say they're nearly ready to try another method to try to stop the flow of crude oil that has been spewing into the Gulf of Mexico for over a month.

The "kill shot," which could be attempted as soon as this Sunday, involves first injecting massive amounts of heavy mud into the well head on the Gulf floor, followed by cement.

In theory, the operation could completely shut down the flow of crude into the water.

In practice, BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says it is a complicated project that has no guarantee of success.

<more>

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

BeyondGeography

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 09:13 AM
Response to Original message

1. The spill was a kill shot, this is kill shit

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

monmouth

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 09:28 AM
Response to Original message

2. I'd bet they really don't want to go this route because it could completely

shut down the flow of crude. Soooooo many $$$$$ not to be realized. They are disgusting.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

gristy

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 09:48 AM
Response to Reply #2

3. Can you explain?

By plugging this gusher, how will they be unable to realize "so many $$$$$"? Are you perhaps parroting the mistaken view that it would not be profitable for BP to drill a new well into this field? Or are you perhaps parroting the mistaken view that BP's financial liability for this ongoing gusher is less than the cost of drilling a new well into this field? Of course, both of those statements are false, since in fact BP has been drilling a new well into this field for the past 4 weeks. So maybe it is something else?

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Ruby the Liberal

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 10:09 AM
Response to Original message

4. Which could force the pressure to divert to the OTHER leak site that no one is talking about

There were 3 leaks. *2* of them are still spewing.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Merchant Marine

(650 posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 02:01 PM
Response to Reply #4

5. All of the leaks are in the riser

The riser is attached to the wellhead. Closing the wellhead cuts off flow to the riser. Learn a little about drilling.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Ruby the Liberal

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 03:17 PM
Response to Reply #5

6. Thanks for explaining.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Statistical

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 03:50 PM
Response to Reply #6

7. My guestion has always been what happens if this damages the BOP?

Edited on Fri May-21-10 04:02 PM by Statistical

I mean you got a damaged BOP oil flowing out under thousands of pounds of pressure and to combat that you are forcing mud in via two small valves under even more pressure.

What is the damage to the BOP combined with pressure from both directions is too much and the BOP is ripped apart due to the pressure and that blow the whole riser stack right off.

So instead of oil leaking out of a kinked and bent pipe you have a hole straight into the earth with oil pouring out not slowed by anything. :(

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

phantom power

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 03:57 PM
Response to Reply #7

8. I like question.

Because that would be very goddamned bad.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

Ruby the Liberal

(1000+ posts) Send PM | Profile | Ignore

Fri May-21-10 05:25 PM
Response to Reply #7

9. That is a true nightmare scenario

I read a blog post by an oil guy this afternoon that was talking about this. He was relating it to the sand and other corrosives blowing uncontrolled through the whole system, scraping at the metal the whole way.

Mentioned that if the well head (terminology?) is blown apart, then we will be left with a giant gaping hole and an even more difficult time trying to stop it.

Printer Friendly | Permalink | | Top

DU AdBot (1000+ posts)

Fri May 03rd 2024, 10:20 AM
Response to Original message

Advertisements [?]

Top

Powered by DCForum+ Version 1.1 Copyright 1997-2002 DCScripts.com
Software has been extensively modified by the DU administrators

Important Notices: By participating on this discussion board, visitors agree to abide by the rules outlined on our Rules page. Messages posted on the Democratic Underground Discussion Forums are the opinions of the individuals who post them, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of Democratic Underground, LLC.