SharePosted on 05/27/2010 8:48:37 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
As of now, the oil has stopped:
Adm Allen told US media the "top kill" procedure, which began on Wednesday, has pumped enough drilling fluid to block all oil and gas escaping from the well.
"They've been able to stabilise the wellhead, they're pumping mud down it. They've stopped the hydrocarbons from coming up," Adm Allen told WWL First News radio.
It was the first positive official assessment of BP's latest attempt to plug the well, after previous efforts failed.
BP has not yet commented in detail on the situation, saying merely that the operation was continuing.
Adm Allen said there was still pressure from the well, although at very low levels.
Once engineers have reduced the pressure to zero, they will begin pumping cement into the hole to seal the well, he added.
You can watch a live feed of the top kill op here.
Top Cat!
The most effectual Top Cat!
Who’s intellectual close friends get to call him T.C.
Providing it’s with dignity.
Top Cat!
The indisputable leader of the gang.
He’s the boss, he’s a pip, he’s the championship.
He’s the most tip top,
Top Cat.
Yes he’s a chief, he’s a king,
But above everything,
He’s the most tip top,
Top Cat.
Top Cat!
Question:
WHY did they wait so long to do this?????
In the long run, they wasted MORE money - THEIRS and OURS over this mess than had they sacrificed the well.
They needed to jam something dense, inert, and environmentally friendly in the pipe.
Paging Al Gore...
It is a risky procedure and although the results are encouraging, it will take a while to know if the fix has actually worked.
Obama taking credit in 3, 2, 1...
Agreed. Too much jubilance before positive, permanent results are measured, assured and thoroughly documented.
‘WHY did they wait so long to do this?????”
None of this was easy. Stopping a out of control well is tough at the surface, let alone 5000 feet under water.
If the govt let them drill in more accessible locations the risk and difficulty would be less.
This was suggested right here on FR weeks ago, I don’t remember who said it, but it was somebody who had worked in the industry.
Why waste a good crisis?... Why not bleed it for all its worth?..
“If the govt let them drill in more accessible locations the risk and difficulty would be less.”
I heard this and concur. But BP had knowing screwed up in the actual drilling of this well.
I think in the future, we need inspectors at all these sea sights to monitor what is going on. Federal Inspectors paid through money from the oil companies and answering to Congress through some special agency.
This is not a screwball idea. We have Federal Food inspectors who inspect food products and whose salaries are actually paid by food companies. This situation is sort of analogous.
The reason they waited is that BP wanted to salvadge the well pipe. BP probably spent a ton of money drilling that well. By pumping mud and concrete into it, the well is ruined. Instead, BP wanted to divert the oil to a tanker while another rig taps into the pipe to pump the oil out. In the end, the well would still be usable.
Why would BP do this? They just screwed up future ocean drilling for another year.
We NEED oil from the continental shelf, from Alaska and from Shale oil.
Until we perfect alternate sources, fossil fuels are all we have and right now, this could cripple any economic recovery.
“I think in the future, we need inspectors at all these sea sights to monitor what is going on. Federal Inspectors paid through money from the oil companies and answering to Congress through some special agency.”
We currently have all of that although the money comes from consumers, as do all costs.
The inspectors gave BP a safety award. They exempted them from certain requirements. They looked the other way.
“This is not a screwball idea. We have Federal Food inspectors who inspect food products and whose salaries are actually paid by food companies.”
They are paid for by the consumer. The safest food is that grown locally but all these regulations are making that nearly impossible.
“In the end, the well would still be usable.”
Penny wise pound foolish.
In the end, they lost the oil, AND the well, and damaged public opinion on sea floor drilling.
They have been working on this since day one! It is such a monumental logistical and engineering effort that I'm amazed they got it done as quickly as they did!
Of course, ultimately the consumer ALWAYS pays the cost for safety inspections and regulations.
Those Federal Inspectors who looked the other way should face criminal charges and imprisonment. So should any supervisors involved in this action and these inspections need to be tightened up as well as supervision and surveillance of the inspectors.
“Those Federal Inspectors who looked the other way should face criminal charges and imprisonment.”
Oh sh*t, that is one hell of a funny line! Whew, you have got top be kidding. That is a good one.
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