Posted on 06/05/2010 12:03:02 PM PDT by historyrepeatz
Is it just me, or has anyone noticed that the triangular flanges on the oil cap are more visible than they were a few hours ago. This would indicate that the oil plume has receded slightly. Anyone notice this? Is it true that the cap has valves which will be gradually closed once pressure is equalized? Any experts on this care to comment? I can't find much information on this aspect of the cap.
There is a good discussion on the BP website and at theoildrum.com.....they do plan to gradually close the valves, are still worried about ice because water could seep in under the device...and, yes, it does look like more of the finds are able to be seen.
Sorry, I should’ve used the term “fins”. That’s what I meant. LOL.. I suppose they didn’t have time to integrate heating elements into the unit? I don’t even know if that would be “physics friendly” at that depth. All I know is, the entire process is far more complicated than the average Joe can comprehend.
It sure is. I have been getting great education about all this on RF, theoildrum.com, and the BP site. Never though I’d ever learn so much about something like this. Sure interesting, tho...
It’s all Greek, not grok, to me.
My live link cam is offline ... where are you getting an image?
This is the feed I use. It has it all!
Cool site.
I am very impressed.
I gues the cap is yet to be ... or didn't work?
See link above.
OK, I recognise the ‘rocket fins’ from yesterday but, why is all that oil still spewing?
Two reasons, I believe. Still spewing because the cap was never meant to capture all of the oil. Secondly and supposedly, the complete potential of the cap hasn’t reached it’s maximum yet due to gradual valve closure which will lessen the leak. However, I believe the leak is less than just a few hours ago.. That was the nature of my post.. Seeking consensus on that.
All in all ... fascinating visual.
That is what they said they were going to to mate.
They were going to close the 4 vent valves on the top of the cap SLOWLY...
and ONLY after they established oil flow.
They don’t want to HAMMER anything, or cause the cap to be BLOWN OFF.
So SLOWLY, SLOWLY is the word.
I thought it odd that they did not just unbolt the damaged riser and then lower and bolt on a new christmas tree, then shut in the well.
But then I am no petro engineer and have not steyed at any famous motels of late....
It would have been very good to have some sort of narrative as the process was going forward.
Going to do the two birds one stone thing here.
ASOC - they are 99% sure the well head itself is damaged so capping the well at all is not an option. Plus the BOP is a 5 story multi-ton structure, you cannot just change on out on a flowing well. It is basically an impossibility.
Knarf - one thing I said lead into your question. they cannot completely cap the well as the reulting pressures would most likely cause the well head to completely fail. That would result in a completely uncontrollable blowout at probably double or triple the amount of current discharge.
So, the cap is designed with the leakage we see built in. they also need that outflow from the cap to prevent seas water from getting into the cap, which is what would cause the hydrate ice formation.
They are pumping Methane and warm seaswater into the cap as an additional preventative.
they will slowly close the vents on the cap, which will reduce the outflow from under the cap, but as explained above they need a certain outflow rate to maintain the cap itself.
Finally the amount of oil we are seeing looks a lot larger than it actually is. The mixture os about 50-50 oil and gas, the gas is under tremendous pressure in the well and expands rapidly upon hitting the water, so it looks like much more than it is.
Also the cap is creating an effect much like is created if your were to cup you hand and lower it over a running garden hose. That is also making the flow look a lot larger than it actually is.
last reports I saw say they are now capturing about 50% of the flow into the riser pipe, and hope to get that to 80-90% in the next few days. The cap is working but it will take a while to reach optimum flow and it will never capture all of it.
The well will not be stopped until the relief wells are done and they can plug the well from the bottom.
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