Naked Science Forum
Non Life Sciences => Geology, Palaeontology & Archaeology => Topic started by: Geezer on 09/06/2010 09:34:21
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I'm pretty sure those that know anything about BP's problem have considered all the options, but what would happen if they tried to close the well with explosive charges?
Would the oil just continue to leak past all the fractured debris in the drill hole?
[TITLE ALTERED TO TAG IT WITH BP]
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Just cause more problems.
A nuclear device would just open up an "open sore" type hole, an inverted cone, that would allow more oil to get to the surface as well as turn all of the gas hydrates in the area to just natural gas, releasing a huge amount of methane into the atmosphere.
A smaller explosive device could do essentially the same as there is no conclusive evidence that all of the oil is coming from just one pipe. It could be coming from the outer casing of the well, the production liner or a combination of both. It could possibly be coming up some distance away from the well head but I have seen no indication of this scenario.
The most permanent solution is to do what is being done now. Drill two wells into the area where the well penetrates the oil reservoir and pumping so much cement into that area that a huge ball of it forms around the well bore just above the reservoir, compressing the mud, rock, casing and everything else in the surrounding 3000 feet into such a tight compact material that nothing can get through it.
The target area into which the relief wells are drilled can be very small with present technology.
A random explosion could easily cause more harm than good.
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The political discussion has been moved to "Just Chat"
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Wait a minute! What about my vortex idea then? I don't think that was very political.
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Wait a minute! What about my vortex idea then? I don't think that was very political.
I think I can hear it gurgling down the plughole this minute [:D]
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It depends on which hemisphere you are in - Northern or Southern.
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I think the vortex might have been sucked down to just chat by mistake... do copy it back up here by all means!
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Well, I can see it's already received a lot of attention, so I'm just going to have to take it to Kevin Costner now. I'm sure he won't tell me it sucks. (Exits stage left with sulky expression on face.)
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AWWW poor fella, he has had his feelings hurt.
I'm sorry Geeze, I had to make the cut someplace and I didn't see your vortex idea.
HEY - YOU DID THAT ON PURPOSE!!!
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(Enters stage left with light bulb on head)
JB, it was obvious you were simply winding me up, but you better look out.
Wait a minute! I see they are now burning the stuff when it gets to the surface.
Why let it even get to the surface? Why not burn it off soon after it leaves the BOP? Obviously this would require a source of oxygen/air from the surface and a method of mixing, but there is nothing unusual about burning hydrocarbons under water.
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Why let it even get to the surface? Why not burn it off soon after it leaves the BOP? Obviously this would require a source of oxygen/air from the surface and a method of mixing, but there is nothing unusual about burning hydrocarbons under water.
Supplying O2 to that depth (at that pressure) and at a rate to consume any reasonable % of the crude is going to take a mammoth setup is it not?
I guess you could mount the whole lot on some kind of floating rig-thing... mmmm, where to get one from though? [:D]