BP completes first of three containment domes

[B2G]

Source: The New York Times

BP completes first of three containment domes
Firm says it will shoulder cost of Gulf cleanup
By Campbell Robertson, New York Times | May 4, 2010

NEW ORLEANS — BP reported some progress yesterday in its efforts to stem oil leaks from an undersea well off the Louisiana coast that have created what President Obama called a “potentially unprecedented environmental disaster.’’

Bill Salvin, a company spokesman, said that crews had finished building a containment dome, a 4-story, 70-ton structure that the company plans to lower into place over one of the three leaks to catch the escaping oil and allow it to be pumped to the surface.

Two more domes would be completed today, Salvin said, and crews hoped to install all three domes by the weekend.

“That will essentially eliminate most of the issues you have with oil in the water,’’ he said.



Read more: http://www.boston.com/news/science/articles/2010/05/04/bp_completes_first_of_three_containment_domes/

[Beetwasher]

1. I Really Hope This Works

n/t

[maddezmom]

2. agree

[Plaid Adder]

29. Yeah, me too!

Cause what @#$! happens if it doesn't?

I mean, that's the thing that's really terrifying about this...that nobody knows for sure how to stop it. It's just going to be a big trial-and-error-fest.

:scared:

The Plaid Adder

[Dulcinea]

34. Same here.

I love the Gulf Coast. This story has made me heartsick.

[FLPanhandle]

3. I hope these work.

However, I'm also worried this could damage the pipe further and cause even more flow.

[defendandprotect]

4. BP made $5.3 BILLION this quarter -- should be barred from further involvement

in oil industry -- as well as Halliburton!!

[NYC_SKP]

5. All three installed by the weekend? Wow.

I'd been reading about how it might be months.

I hope all goes well, I don't care who fixes it...

Just get it done.

:patriot:

[B2G]

6. The 'months' estimate is for the relief wells

not the containment devices.

[jus_the_facts]

7. They can't be sure these will hold up at 5K feet....

.....hope...what a concept. x(

[B2G]

8. At 70 tons, I think they stand a good chance of 'holding up'

It's the placement that has me worried.

[thereismore]

9. Exactly. The pressure of water is from both sides of metal, so no worries.

It's how they put it down, do they cover the leak, and will it stand (hey, is the ground even horizontal?). It will be filled in a jiffy, in which case it will try to float and might flip over. They should pump the oil out before it fills up. It's a dynamical situation and I don't know how the conduit will work. At this length, assuming it is filled with oil, it will try to float and might displace the dome. It all depends on the numbers - I hope their engineers are on top of it.

[B2G]

11. My understanding is that the bottom of the ocean there is very soft & muddy

The dome will sink approximately 15 feet upon placement, so that shouldn't be a worry.

[Beetwasher]

32. They Need To Have The Valves On The Dome Pipe Kept Open

So the flow is already going up the pipe as it's being placed. That would relieve the upward pressure against the dome and it won't fill up as fast.

[jus_the_facts]

22. the thickness...not weight...at that depth... .has never been tried... that is my concern. n/t

[Nihil]

36. You're still focussing on the wrong thing ...

The thickness is only an issue with respect to the pressure differential.

The bigger problem is landing it in the correct place when you are working
a mile below the surface of the water ...

[jus_the_facts]

37. I don't trust BP to get anything right.... their genius started this FUBAR. n/t

[Abq_Sarah]

39. Well, then, perhaps

They should just walk away?

Accidents happen. I know this doesn't seem to be a popular concept in the last couple of weeks but nothing is 100% risk proof. Just walking out the door of your house and getting in your car (or on public transportation) holds unknown risks for yourself and others. There will never be a mechanical or electrical system that is completely immune to failure. No matter how many fail safes you have in place, there is no guarantee there won't be a complete system wide failure.

Shit happens.

[jus_the_facts]

40. Oh, I never thought of that....

:eyes:

[MellowDem]

41. Actually, the cause hasn't yet been determined...

and might be the fault of another company. So far BP is the only one willing to go and clean it up who has the means and the engineering to.

[liberal N proud]

10. Here is a video of the construction

http://cnn.com/video/?/video/us/2010/05/04/todd.dome.special.access.cn

[Lone_Star_Dem]

12. They have my sincere wish for success here.

Please, oh please, let this work.

[riskpeace]

13. These really need to work, please!

I'm one containment dome away from bankruptcy at this point. It seems like trying to drop a thimble on a volcano, but I'm no expert.

BP showed up in Panama City, FL to mobilize a new staging area. I'm glad they're here, but that's sort of like when Jim Cantore from the Weather Channel shows up in your town during hurricane season.

http://www.newsherald.com/news/hosting-83532-address-meeting.html

[meeshrox]

14. My question is...

all of this oil they are lapping up, and will be collecting in these domes, where will it go? Will it go to the refineries at a profit to BP? No well testing, pumping, etc. Pure profit, even now...

edited to add: not that I would want them to waste it...but just consider this when they balk at paying more than the $75 million they will be required by law...

[B2G]

16. There is a 5000 ft pipe attached to the top of the structure

The oil will flow up to the surface through the pipe and be collected in container ships.

[meeshrox]

18. Yes, I understand...

I mean, once they collect it in the container ships...where will it go?

[B2G]

21. To a refinery I would imagine

To separate the sea water out and be processed. What else are they supposed to do with it?

[meeshrox]

25. It almost seems like you just skimmed my first post

I said that, too. I am simply bringing up the fact that they'll be claiming this $6 million per day loss when they are really making some money on the leak...not sure of the offset, but it obviously will not be nearly as bad as they will report.

[B2G]

28. Whatever. That's the least of my worries at the moment. nt

[meeshrox]

35. That's fine...no worries

Hope things are ok...:)

[Deep13]

19. Yup, otherwise they could just use one of these.

[Deep13]

15. “That will essentially eliminate most of the issues you have with oil in the water,’’

Two things.

1. It's a catastrophe, one that your company caused, not an "issue."

2. IF it works (never been done before) it will prevent any ADDITIONAL contamination. The gigantic spill that has already happened will still be there.

[B2G]

17. I would assume he meant 'additional' oil

And these containers are routinely used. Just not at this depth.

[Deep13]

20. I think his words were crafted to minimize the impression of the damage. nt

[B2G]

23. A little late for that, no? n/t

[Deep13]

24. One would think so. nt

[truthisfreedom]

26. Everything they're doing might make it worse rather than better.

My gut instinct tells me that there's a greater chance it will get worse rather than better. Ugh.

We brought this on ourselves. We're gluttons. This may be our final moment in a horrible Monty Python sketch... Mr Creosote.

[Abq_Sarah]

38. How would this make it worse?

Even if there were not 100% containment, slowing the leak down drastically minimizes the impact on the environment and buys time to come up with a more permanent solution.

[B2G]

27. Maybe someone can help me with this

Take a look at the riser pipe. There are 3 leaks and each container will be place on one of them. The riser pipe is connected. What will happen to the pipe when the containers are placed? Will it sever the pipe or what? If so, why do they need 3 of them? Confused by the logistics...

[TheMadMonk]

30. Feeling their way back from the end of the pipe to the main complex?

Also if the domes along the riser and at the well head don't crimp the riser, oil will continue to flow along it. Thus all three leaks do need to be plugged.

[B2G]

31. NYC_SKP was kind enough to post this in another thread

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/05/03/oil.spill.desperate.measure/index.html

[Adsos Letter]

33. I didn't read the article linked to, so this may have been addressed

but my understanding has been that, while this could be a very successful solution once in place, that guiding the boxes into place at that depth, and in those conditions, may prove the tricky part.

Here is to hoping for success! :thumbsup: