Seepage detected near Gulf oil cap

NY Post ^ | July 18, 2010 | Reuters

[Scanian]

Engineers monitoring BP Plc's damaged well in the Gulf of Mexico detected seepage on the ocean floor that could mean problems with the cap that has stopped oil from gushing into the water, the government's top oil spill official said today.

Earlier on Sunday, BP officials had expressed hope that the test of the cap which began Thursday could continue until a relief well can permanently seal the leak next month. Oil gushed from the deep-sea Maconda well for nearly three months until the new cap was put in place last week.

But late on Sunday, the U.S. government released a letter to BP Chief Managing Director Bob Dudley from retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen that referred to seepage near the mile-deep (1.6 km-deep) well as well as "undetermined anomalies at the well head."

[justa-hairyape]

The new problem this morning is leakage in a Silver Hydraulic line located in the base area of the new 3 Ram Stack. The line travels around the outside of the stacks base and was leaking in numerous locations. Droplets of what appear to be black hydraulics fluid could be seen rising from the line. Got monitored for quite a while by at least 2 ROV’s last night.

[Sacajaweau]

Do we know if it is a problem or not?

[justa-hairyape]

Not yet. Hopefully someone will ask about it in the morning tech briefings. It was kinda strange since the line was leaking from some areas that were not joints with fittings. Nothing decent on the Oil Drum about it. Just someone noticed the leakage. Its rate was increasing. If it is the Hydraulics that operate a ram, it could be a problem.

[red tie]

"Droplets of what appear to be black hydraulics fluid could be seen rising from the line."

I can handle droplets of hydraulic fluid after millions of barrels of oil.

[justa-hairyape]

It is also possible it has something to do with the automatic seal mechanism, just judging by its physical location. Hos 1 is kinda cruising around the area now. It is looking at the seal.

[Northern Yankee]

Yep... I am thinking these droplets would dissipate in the ocean as is.

I heard the this morning on the news that the govt. is thinking about recommending they open up the cap again. Are these people insane?... wait... it's Zero in charge, of course they are. Idiots!

[red tie]

That’s what happens when the public elects a “Mr We” (Me).

[justa-hairyape]

Hos 1 looking at the leaking silver hydraulics line now.

[Northern Yankee]

Yep...

[red tie]

"Yep... I am thinking these droplets would dissipate in the ocean as is."

This is nothing compared to what is discharged from the bilges of ships passing through.

[RayChuang88]

My guess is that they may partially re-open the cap to relieve pressure on the cap itself before connecting additional pipes to recover the oil with nearby ships, then as the relief wells are completed completely seal this well for good.

[redgolum]

for later

[boycott]

I heard the this morning on the news that the govt. is thinking about recommending they open up the cap again. Are these people insane?... wait... it’s Zero in charge, of course they are. Idiots!

---

In this case, I don’t believe it would be idiotic. If there is major seepage going on, it could cause a massive amount of erosion. If that got out of hand, this could turn into a much bigger disaster.

If they can capture almost 100% as they claim, why not do that until the relief wells are completed? It makes no sense to take such a great risk.

I live along the coast and I’d much rather have a few more days of oil spewing into the Gulf than have something much worse happen.

BP is wanting the government to make the call to absolve themselves of liability.

In this case, I believe safer would be better than sorry. Safer is trying to capture as much as possible until the relief wells are drilled.

[ButThreeLeftsDo]

You Know The Drill
Click the Pic

Hey! FReepers!
Help Fill The Tank!
How About It? Huh?
It Ain't Askin' Too Much
Ya Know....

[Calusa]

When I first came here, this was all swamp. Everyone said I was daft to build a castle on a swamp, but I built in all the same, just to show them. It sank into the swamp. So I built a second one. That sank into the swamp. So I built a third. That burned down, fell over, then sank into the swamp. But the fourth one stayed up. And that’s what you’re going to get, Lad, the strongest castle in all of England.

[9YearLurker]

The talk of the seepage sounds like they used to talk about shrinkage on Seinfeld. Come to think of it it almost seems like George must be in charge of the cleanup and Kramer of capping the leak.

[Paladin2]

So drill more wells close by and pump the daylights out of them until the pressure (and price of oil) drops.

[gulfcoast6]

Never fear, Zero will bring his straw down when he blesses us with his presence down here, when he comes in say again, WHEN!!!

[norwaypinesavage]

Obama needs the gushing oil from the well in order to avoid any focus on his incompetence in cleaning up the spilled oil. Now we have these “undetermined anomalies at the well head.” Obama is really grasping to find a excuse to reopen the well.