Just a thought how to stop the flow of oil coming out of the ground.
Employ a device resembling a canon, in form of a long very heavy metal tube closed on one end with the purpose of launching a projectile. It does not have to have any rifling with the caliber or diameter of the projectile about the same as the bore hole or slightly larger. The projectile could be slightly tapered in front, and be a NONE explosive metal cylinder with a heavy powder charge behind it. Then make an attempt to position it over the original bore hole which may or may not have to be trimmed some what cleaned up to facilitate and allow the entry of this solid metal cylinder or projectile in to the original bore hole.
Then put a heavy powder charge behind this NONE explosive projectile and shoot it in to the bore hole to close it off. Since the projectile would be recessed in this metal barrel or firing tube, arrangements could be made using compressed air to blow out any water first before firing the projectile in to the bore hole, similar to using a torpedo, except in this case the projectile would be none explosive and only used to plug the hole.
The whole contraption in form of a long heavy metal tube could be suspended from cables above and guided over the bore hole and used repeatedly if the initial try would be unsuccessful, then shoot and re-load until the source of the escaping oil is plugged. Also these metal plugs or projectiles could be cast from solid lead what could be easily bored out and restore the flow of oil in a safe manner once its purpose has been accomplished. Even if the first shot would not be successful repeated attempts may cave in the remaining pipe and pound what is left in to the ground, below the ocean floor, similar in effect to a pile driver.
Well this is just a thought or suggestion; shoot something in to the bore hole when everything else failed to do the trick. I am quite certain if a heavy metal dome was fabricated previously to catch the escaping flow of oil in a fairly short amount of time, the contraption as suggested by me could be rigged up just as quickly or even faster. In order to absorbe some of the recoil a large round metal plate could be welded opposite the exit hole for the “Bullet” causing it to push against the water above it. I wish some one amongst the readers of FR who has connections could direct this suggestion to who ever is attempting to stop the flow of oil as I do believe this actually may work, by pounding it shut and in to the ground.
Kind of like a bunker buster! That may work to close of the inner casing, but it is my understanding that most of (all?) of the oil is coming up from the outside of the inner casing, and inside the outer casing. (Two concentric pipes, and coming up in the space between the two pipes. I may be wrong.)
There are also concerns that pluging it up too shallow will cause the oil to blow out of the outer casing, and then find its way to the ocean floor over the easiest route(s) - which may make the leaks even more widespread and harder to treat.