That picture is not the Deep Horizon. There are no Jackup Rigs with mile tall legs.
This well blew out because what it hit so much pressure it couldn’t be contained. This is what I get from the more knowledgeable FR posters. How about setting off a tactical nuke to cap it? Sounds better to me than fouling oyster beds and fishing grounds.
Let me see it was the one taken shortly after the explosion, before the whole rig was engulfed, with only one fire boat there and just the house burning. the likely explosion source ... hmmmm no picture searching videos -- all I can find is this video immediate stop within first few fire frames, look right at the start, one fire boat ... The fire is quite high, on top of the house, it is like the roof is ablaze.
My question was why was the explosion so high up on the rig. You would expect that would be the last place to catch fire from oil. And furthermore, wouldn't you shield the control room from fire? Unless the control room was deemed to not be in the danger zone if the well blew out on them.
It may also provide a clue why the safety gear didn't work. Taking out the controls and controllers pretty well does that.
Yeah sorry wrong photo, comparing rig fire photos, read further, I put up the video and explanation of where to look.
If it’s any forgiveness, the website the photo came from labeled it the Deepwater Horizon.