Posted on 06/05/2010 9:38:26 PM PDT by Rufus2007
We can all speculate. I consider the Navy UDT types to have the best divers. Now add the mini subs and surely a solution can be found.
Excuse me, this has done before with success. Brighter men then you have discussed it as a viable option. So STFU.
I agree. Nuking the well would be the biggest frac job in history. It could literally open up thousands of leaks in the ocean floor.
No way we should even consider the option.
Just a thought how to stop the flow of oil coming out of the ground.
Employ a device resembling a canon, in form of a long very heavy metal tube closed on one end with the purpose of launching a projectile. It does not have to have any rifling with the caliber or diameter of the projectile about the same as the bore hole or slightly larger. The projectile could be slightly tapered in front, and be a NONE explosive metal cylinder with a heavy powder charge behind it. Then make an attempt to position it over the original bore hole which may or may not have to be trimmed some what cleaned up to facilitate and allow the entry of this solid metal cylinder or projectile in to the original bore hole.
Then put a heavy powder charge behind this NONE explosive projectile and shoot it in to the bore hole to close it off. Since the projectile would be recessed in this metal barrel or firing tube, arrangements could be made using compressed air to blow out any water first before firing the projectile in to the bore hole, similar to using a torpedo, except in this case the projectile would be none explosive and only used to plug the hole.
The whole contraption in form of a long heavy metal tube could be suspended from cables above and guided over the bore hole and used repeatedly if the initial try would be unsuccessful, then shoot and re-load until the source of the escaping oil is plugged. Also these metal plugs or projectiles could be cast from solid lead what could be easily bored out and restore the flow of oil in a safe manner once its purpose has been accomplished. Even if the first shot would not be successful repeated attempts may cave in the remaining pipe and pound what is left in to the ground, below the ocean floor, similar in effect to a pile driver.
Well this is just a thought or suggestion; shoot something in to the bore hole when everything else failed to do the trick. I am quite certain if a heavy metal dome was fabricated previously to catch the escaping flow of oil in a fairly short amount of time, the contraption as suggested by me could be rigged up just as quickly or even faster. In order to absorbe some of the recoil a large round metal plate could be welded opposite the exit hole for the “Bullet” causing it to push against the water above it. I wish some one amongst the readers of FR who has connections could direct this suggestion to who ever is attempting to stop the flow of oil as I do believe this actually may work, by pounding it shut and in to the ground.
No NUKES...it could wake up Godzilla!!!
The goal is not to stop the leak, the goal is to stop the leak and have a producing well.
I suspect they don't want to do this though because as long as the pipe is there they still have a chance of getting a productive well out of it. So they'll try everything they can to cap it.
PING! Still under discussion?
ping
Thanks for the ping!
We tried to fracture rock with a nuke to see if we could use them to open up new reserves - the heat from the nuke sealed everything shut, the exact opposite of what they wanted but exactly what needs to be done here.
You’re welcome, as usual!
The upside? It might work.
The downside? The mother of all frac jobs, a destroyed wellhead, a hole in the gulf disgorging more massive quantities of oil and gas--now carrying with it the radioactive by-products of the explosion.
No one wants to clean it up (because the oil is radioactive, or at least the contaminants in it are), no one wants to drill a relief well, no one will work on any rig to do it, and you have the same problems with oil, only now there is no way to control it until the reservoir depletes--which could take decades.
The Ixtoc 1 well took almost ten months to control, blew out more oil and gas, and the Gulf didn't die off. The relief wells haven't failed, because they aren't even done yet. How about giving the tried and true methods of bringing a wild well under control a chance to work before dashing off half-cocked and making a real mess. They take a lot less time to drill than they used to because of the advances made in drilling technology.
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