After delay, BP restarts 'top kill' effort (Effort failing? Narcissist took credit too early!)

CNN ^ | May 27, 2010

[P-Marlowe]

I saw the round thing that was leaking mud and oil and the next thing we saw was junk flying everywhere.

[ZX12R]

Am I seeing wave action at 5,000 feet?

That is indeed odd. Apparently something near the ROV is generating large low frequency pressure waves. I sure hope it wasn't the BOP that let loose.

[thackney]

BP have been saying for the past week the next step was to cut off the riser and put a cap on, regardless if the top kill worked or not.

Blowing off a portion of the riser doesn’t make much of a change, it just moves the leak from the end of the riser to the front.

[jpsb]

I went to CNN, nothing, going to Fox now, Media gets the same video feed we do. Obviously something changed. I'd think that would be worth some explanation. Particularly given the problems so far with top kill. If top kill does not work the only realistic fix is the relief well, 6 to 8 weeks away. Damn.

FYI, "small" June tropical storms are a common event in the GoM. Small in terms of area not strength.

[Williams]

No, relief wells are not the only other fix. If top kill fails they plan to immediately cut off the BOP with a diamond saw blade and bring a siphon hose down from above with a gasket in an effort to bring most of teh flow up to a tanker.

And two relief wells are being drilled.

[jpsb]

I think we are looking at bridging material (BM), my best guess is that BP is trying phase two of Top Kill, pumping BM with mud. Some of the BM is escaping the BOP which is to be expected. Movement is due to currents (up, but mostly down) created the high velocity BM particles.

[ZX12R]

If top kill fails they plan to immediately cut off the BOP with a diamond saw blade

Did you mean to say cut off the riser? I don't think cutting off the BOP would be an option at the moment.

[jpsb]

Oh I am sure they will try something and might get lucky but do not hold your breathe, kill top is last best chance before relief well, IMHO.

[Williams]

of course I dont know my terminology but from the diagrams they would cut the pipe just below the device sitting on top of it (which I thoght included removing the BOP), there would just be the pipe and they would attempt to connect to that.

[ZX12R]

I think we are looking at bridging material (BM)

I think they are particles of methane hydrates.

[jpsb]

You are correct, next “plan” is BOP on top of BOP. might work but it is going to be one hell of a balancing act. 4 story 250 ton structure on top of 4 story 250 ton structure.

[jpsb]

hey got as good video feed back!

[Earthdweller]

".....looks like she just popped her cork.....

The oil hole lost it's tampon...I'm sorry but these things they are trying seem like they are just meant to fail on purpose.

[jpsb]

Robots busy working, wonder what they are doing? Anyone?

[janetjanet998]

on the BP message baord many saw the same thing you did

an “event” of some sorts..

some say explosion

http://messages.finance.yahoo.com/Stocks_%28A_to_Z%29/Stocks_B/forumview?bn=26496

[ZX12R]

Robots busy working, wonder what they are doing? Anyone?

I know none of them are looking at any leaks now. At least, not any of the ones with a feed for public consumption.

[jpsb]

gonna go to twitter, maybe somebody knows something, BRB.

[Williams]

OK the view has changed, now we are looking at a heavy pipe connection and other apparatus, maybe this is part of the pumping mechanism? Boy there needs to be a commentator to go with this video.

Where’s Shelby Lyman?

[Scythian]

[jpsb]

The Robots are very cool. Robots are our friends.