Introducing the LRMP Cap Containment System, BP's Latest Idea to Stop the Massive Gulf Oil Leak

[Nathanael]

Here are details and an image of BP's next plan of attack.


On Saturday, BP officials publicly announced Operation Top Kill had failed. This development left many extremely disappointed and asking the question, "What comes next?"

For all those beginning to lose faith that this oil leak will ever be stopped, hold the phone. BP is preparing to implement its latest idea to curb the oil spurting forth from its busted pipe in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP's new plan involves deploying the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap Containment System.


Link: http://www.energyboom.com/policy/introducing-lrmp-cap-containment-system-bps-latest-idea-stop-massive-gulf-oil-leak

[wtmusic]

1. Seems it's not about stopping the leak, but recovering most of the oil nt

[Nathanael]

3. Had the Same Thought

Which leads me to ask: when is the business aspect of this going to get thrown out the window and the "stop the leak at all costs" mentality going to take hold? I mean it has already been 40+ days.

[austin78704]

4. What would you suggest?

It seems that they have tried several times to stop the well with no success, so the next logical step seems to be containment. After all, running the oil up a pipe onto a ship is better than letting it spew all over the ocean, don't you think?

If you honestly think their only motivation is cost, it will cost them far less than anything else to kill the well quickly and drill a new one.

[wtmusic]

5. If they have the technology to cut the end of the riser off with a diamond saw

they have the technology to weld a larger diameter pipe over the existing riser with a valve attached to it.

Then they close the valve. :shrug:

[austin78704]

6. That is difficult

Welding that far below water is very iffy. Takes a long time to get a decent strength weld. The well can push with more than 12,000 psi of force. Do the math-12,000psi on a 20 inch diameter valve. How much force will the valve have to resist?

Also, the consensus among the pros is that the casing is damaged. Shutting in the well could blow the casing, causing just as much leak, but without the benefit of coming out of the ground at a known spot. Or just one spot. Don't forget that the 18,000-foot column of oil is blasting upwards at high speed. Water hammer in a house can break pipes and make lots of noise with only 15-20 psi behind it.

That riser pipe is over an inch thick steel, and the stream of oil going through it has made multiple holes that get bigger all the time. The valve you envision would need to withstand that.

Diamond saws are not all that high-tech anyway. I have diamond coated toolbits for my hobby lathe, and they're old. Jewelers have been using diamond saws for generations, and diamond wire saws for nearly as long.

[yourout]

2. This one might even make it worse.