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BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

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Re: BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

#11

Post by shaddi »

thetrumanshow wrote: post #8
mindcrime wrote: post #3

Well, obviously it sucks that it took so long, and so much damage has been done, but nonetheless... this is great news, if true. Let's just hope that this new cap holds up until the relief wells are finished and things are truly under control. Wonder how long the cleanup process will take? Can something of this magnitude even ever be completely cleaned up?

I was under the distinct impression that this was only a test to gather data, and even if things go well, the cap is coming back off in 48 hours or less.

If everything goes well, they (Adm. Allen) announced they would be leaving the cap in place. Only if things go wrong will they reopen the seals. Even if they need to reopen it, the plan is to capture the oil into ships using pipes connected to this new cap.

Edit: I can't remember the source for this; I believe I heard it on the Diane Rehm show yesterday. If I can find the source I'll update.

Re: BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

#12

Post by [deleted] »

mindcrime wrote: post #3

Well, obviously it sucks that it took so long, and so much damage has been done, but nonetheless... this is great news, if true. Let's just hope that this new cap holds up until the relief wells are finished and things are truly under control. Wonder how long the cleanup process will take? Can something of this magnitude even ever be completely cleaned up?

[deleted]

Re: BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

#13

Post by thetrumanshow »

shaddi wrote: post #11
thetrumanshow wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I was under the distinct impression that this was only a test to gather data, and even if things go well, the cap is coming back off in 48 hours or less.

If everything goes well, they (Adm. Allen) announced they would be leaving the cap in place. Only if things go wrong will they reopen the seals. Even if they need to reopen it, the plan is to capture the oil into ships using pipes connected to this new cap. Edit: I can't remember the source for this; I believe I heard it on the Diane Rehm show yesterday. If I can find the source I'll update.

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/15/gulf.oil.disaster/index.htm...

"BP cautioned that the oil cutoff, while welcomed, won't go beyond the 48 hours."

Yeah, you're right... it did go on to say that 'valves' will be opened and oil would be siphoned off. I didn't realize there were going to be pipes either. :)

Re: BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

#14

Post by simonw »

Third paragraph:

> "Finally!" said Renee Brown, a school guidance counselor visiting Pensacola Beach, Fla., from London, Ky. "Honestly, I'm surprised that they haven't been able to do something sooner, though."

Seems like an odd choice for the first quote in the article. Shouldn't they have chosen someone obviously qualified to comment?

Re: BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

#17

Post by necubi »

gnok wrote: post #6

This is not entirely true. The seal in place is considered temporary until a pressure test can be completed. This is expected to be completed within the next 48 hours. If that test is not successful, then this seal comes straight off and the leak resumes.

Not exactly. The new tight-fitting cap is there to stay, but they may re-open the valves which are presently preventing oil from escaping if the well is determined to be insufficiently sound. In that case, the new cap will still allow them to collect all the oil, preventing any from leaking. That may take a week or so until they can get more collection ships, though.

Re: BP finally stops oil spewing from Gulf gusher

#19

Post by jorgem »

simonw wrote: post #14

Third paragraph: > "Finally!" said Renee Brown, a school guidance counselor visiting Pensacola Beach, Fla., from London, Ky. "Honestly, I'm surprised that they haven't been able to do something sooner, though." Seems like an odd choice for the first quote in the article. Shouldn't they have chosen someone obviously qualified to comment?

Most people think it's just a long pipe going down there, and you can put your thumb in it.
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