[Bigun]

I just finished watching most of the BP news conference at 5:30 and was struck by the fact that the rep kept talking about including “bridging material” in the mud mixture when pumping is resumed later tonight. This leads me to believe (I have no way of knowing this for sure) that they have determined that they are in fact loosing mud to the formation as well as out through the leaking BOP. If that is true then the location and size of that down hole communication will determine whether or not this procedure will, in the end, succeed or fail.

Being retired and as far away as I am from the operation and having no better information than anyone else here, I am only guessing at this point and need to make that plain.

[ZX12R]

I just finished watching most of the BP news conference at 5:30 and was struck by the fact that the rep kept talking about including “bridging material” in the mud mixture when pumping is resumed later tonight. This leads me to believe (I have no way of knowing this for sure) that they have determined that they are in fact loosing mud to the formation as well as out through the leaking BOP. If that is true then the location and size of that down hole communication will determine whether or not this procedure will, in the end, succeed or fail.

Well, at least you're not bashing the doubting posters, who say it's not a done deal yet. Many have been attacking doubters as being quite stoopid.

[a real Sheila]

have they tried duct tape?

[eaglestar]

I keep throwing this idea around. What would happen if they tried to pour semi hardened lava or liquid metal into the hole? Any chance that it would harden or would it be an explosion hazard?