[Former Proud Canadian]

The Russians used this successfully to stop runaway wells. The idea is to fuse the rock over the well, thus capping it.

[driftdiver]

“The Russians used this successfully to stop runaway wells. The idea is to fuse the rock over the well, thus capping it.”

Not sure I’d use the Russians as an example for anything except how to kill or pollute.

Nuclear bombs don’t fuse, they blow up. It won’t melt the rock. It will make lots of little rocks.

[RayChuang88]

However, NO ONE has ever tried detonating a nuclear device in nearly a mile deep of water! I'm not sure if the information from the Wigwam test in 1955 (detonated in 2000 feet of water) will apply here.

[Dusty Road]

The Russians used this successfully to stop runaway wells. The idea is to fuse the rock over the well, thus capping it.

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Thats not what they did, they lowered the nuke downhole and set it off in the area just above the zone. There is no way to lower a nuke into this well due to the BOP failure. Set one of at the wellhead and they will have a complete run away well.

[AFreeBird]

Yea, I’m aware of the concept. But consider that even though you might fuse the rock around the well bore; it could also create more fissures further out thus creating more avenues for oil to escape.

Some of the reports I’ve read have suggested that even the drilling mud has fractured the rock, meaning it is fragile in some places.

Look, I’m all for stopping this well, but let’s not make things worse than they already are.

[HoustonCurmudgeon]

Have you ever seen a Russian oilfield. Anyone who would do things their way is a criminal or crazy.