BP Considers 'Junk Shot' to Plug Leak

[tekisui]

Source: UPI

VENICE, La., May 28 (UPI) -- A review of the "top kill" method to stop oil from fouling the Gulf of Mexico indicates it hasn't been successful in staunching the flow, BP officials said.

Doug Suttles, BP's chief operating officer, said Thursday the company still plans to use the top kill method, which involves pumping heavy fluid into the head of the leaking well on the sea floor, but will adjust the effort to include debris such as rubber balls and other "bridging agents" to help clog the leak, The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune reported Friday.

BP is working to stop leaks on a pipe attached to the sunken Deepwater Horizon rig, which the oil giant leased from Transocean. The rig exploded on April 20 and sank two days later. Eleven rig workers were killed.

The U.S. Geological Survey said Thursday between 12,000 and 19,000 barrels of oil per day have leaked into the gulf since the explosion.

The top kill process stopped and started several times since it began Wednesday. Officials said they noticed the mud escaping out of a riser pipe, instead of being pumped into the well, and were concerned it could indicate the fluid was creating more leaks, The Times-Picayune reported.

Suttles said, however, there was no indication the mud was creating new leaks.

BP will supplement the effort with "bridging agents" to keep the mud inside the pipe, Suttles said. The next round of pumping could include a "junk shot," a high-powered shooting of debris into the well to clog it.

more: http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2010/05/28/BP-considers-junk-shot-to-plug-leak/UPI-73661275048743/

[Urban Prairie]

1. This is all smoke and mirrors to placate the worried public IMO.

Makes it look like they are trying to do SOMETHING.

Maybe they can hire Criss Angel for the next option and have him make the gusher magically "disappear"

Abbra Caddabra...POOF..gone!!!

[tekisui]

2. I agree.

This is all just to buy time until the relief well(s) is completed. And, to try and slow the flow, of course. But, they know it is an exercise in futility.

[Iwasthere]

3. I said the same thing yesterday("almost seems this is for show") and caught shit for it

[Urban Prairie]

4. What really scares and worries me

Is that most of those who live within 500 miles or more of the Gulf Coast may sit tight until "they" try both relief wells. I hope for success but from what I have read online it could take until August or later which puts those residents at grave risk for the peak of hurricane season. It is also my hope the the PTB are formulating a fail-safe evac plan NOW!!!