[Robert A Cook PE]

It is a big oil field (I’ve heard larger than all of Saudi’s fields) and is deep underwater.

But it is also only a nine diameter pipe with 1 inch walls, inside a larger outer 21 inch casing.

No vast steam leak is possible. Wellhead pressure is between 6000psi and 15,000 psi (a net upward force of some 850 tons) but it is manageable. Some bits of truth hidden in the hysteria of the message.

But not much.

[norraad]

Regardless, referencing your post, just think that the whole mess started by some ninny wanting to save money on mud and trying to hold the monster down with much lighter ("But, it's free , sir?") seawater!

[unkus]

As I asked norraand, what do you think will happen?

[Publius6961]

Let's see... assuming the scenario as presented is true (which I totally reject) the rushing oil will erode the pipe walls and "eventually" after gazillions of gallons of oil are spilled, and the oil reservoir "emptied," then the sea water will rush in, convert to steam and blow half the gulf to kingdom come.

This fellow is a total science ignoramus, and never heard of equilibrium. When the internal pressure equals the sea bottom pressure would not the flow stop in either direction?

Have I forgotten all of my high school and college physics?