Posted on 05/22/2010 11:41:42 PM PDT by balch3
And all the clearly inept attempts to control the flow (from a deep uber high pressure well they never should tap in the first place because it feeds all those above it).
What’s so funny?
I’m not.
It’s not that I don’t believe evil plotting exists, its just that I think a combination of laziness, selfishness, stupidity and sheer incompetence is all we usually need for things to get FUBAR.
Now add all that TO evil plotting...
I agree with you that this conditions exist. But would not the same conditions be an impediment to successful plotting? ;-)
Good for them, that’s exactly what the locals shood be doing. The Feds are holding up permits for them to make sand bars, screw them, I’d do it anywhere, and if BP is standing around Idle, I’d sieze their equipment to protect my state from the damage they are causing.
Ah yes- an impediment in many cases.
THAT is what has saved us more than we know- more often than we want to know.
Lets hope it continues to do so.
Out of the oil released at a depth of 5,000 ft, what percent makes it to the surface and what chemical processes and changes happen to the rest?
How does this differ from the familiar surface oil spill?
I would expect 99% or more to make it to the surface unchanged. Once it hits the surface a bacterial feast begins, resulting in a sludge, rather than just plain light crude.
What is a “familiar” spill?
Spills can be fuel oil, or various types of crude. Some bunker oil can be so viscous that it floats in tarlike lumps. The stuff that is gushing right now is the lightest, and most sought after crude on the planet.
Would you reconsider if the penetrated hydrocarbon reservoir has a high methane content very high pressure (~15000 psi)?
What is the total amount of oil and gas released thus far? How much of it still remains below the surface? What is it comprised of? What is it's effect on plant and animal life now? At what volume would you be concerned about the long term (5+ years) habitat of the gulf and gulf coast? Will this volume be reached if the well is not capped until the slants are complete?
Obviously, the methane is what is forcing the crude out so rapidly, but at some point the methane should be able to vent freely, reducing the quantity of crude flowing out, but likely increasing the amount of methane.
By “familiar spill” I mean, primarily, one not under 5,000 ft of water.
Under what conditions would an oil droplet not rise to the surface quickly rather becoming suspended in water?
What is your explanation for the enormous oil plumes found in deep waters from this blowout?
Are you familiar with the National Academy of Science’s study on the behaviour of oil in the sea following a deepwater blowout?
“What is your explanation for the enormous oil plumes found in deep waters from this blowout?”
Friction!
The lighter material will rise regardless of the friction; it merely becomes somewhat dispersed.
You should advise those who can’t explain it, or maybe add your write up to those here:
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/science/0521spill.pdf
http://graphics8.nytimes.com/packages/pdf/national/excerptfrom2003report.pdf
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