Forgive my ignorance, but couldn’t we start drilling like crazy around the site to siphon off some of the oil?
They are drilling a relief well but it will take MONTHS.
Haven’t heard much about it lately, but my understanding was they were starting to drill 2 more holes at an angle that would join the first hole right above the oil deposit, theoretically diverting the oil before it could makes it way up the damaged pipe. But this was going to take a while, so they had to try to stop the leak until then.
There are two relief wells in progress, one spudded on the 4th, one on the 17th. One is already past 8000 ft, headed for 18000 (the target depth to intercept the old wellbore). The deeper part takes longer, and despite pressure on them to hurry, I doubt any corners will be cut.