If the mud goes in too fast, the pipe could rupture and cause an explosion.

[Avalux]

So says Michio Kaku, physicist and guest on KO just now. He gave a very bleak picture of what's going on and didn't sound very encouraged by the Top Kill 'experiment'.

"What they are doing is the best they can do with our given technology. It's pathetic. There's enough oil down there to last (gushing) for years if this doesn't work. This is a science experiment and we are the guinea pigs."

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. He's a very smart guy. My kids and I have watched a lot of his educational shows.

[Avalux]

2. After listening to him, I came to a realization.

NO ONE knows what to do; he doesn't and he's one of the best minds around. He said with the technology available (no matter who is in charge) and the depth of the gusher, it truly is a science experiment.

Everyone screaming for someone to do something - it really doesn't seem as though anything can be done, except a relief well that will take months.

[Statistical]

5. Exactly relief well is the proven solution.

At a minimum relief wells should be partially drilled BEFORE production well is started.

I mean it takes roughly 20 days per mile to drill a relief well. So why not drill down 4.5 miles. If there is a problem you can slant drill the last half mile into main shaft in 10 days and seal the main well.

[jwirr]

8. Doesn't a relief well go deeper than the original well? Once again

we will be in experimental mode. This is a nightmare.

[Statistical]

10. No it intersects with the main well. n/t

[caledesi]

9. Well said A! nt

[roguevalley]

12. if it blows, I hope its big enough to kill me because I don't know

how much more of this I can stand.

[WeDidIt]

3. This is going to end up as a test quesiton on a Fluid Dynamics course.

Michio Kaku is one of the most respected physicists in the world.

[HughMoran]

4. He has good intuition. His books are good reading as well

[Arctic Dave]

6. Without oxygen, how will it explode?

Or does he mean rupture and spill quicker?

[Avalux]

7. I think he meant rupture - in a violent fashion. n/t

[nadinbrzezinski]

11. You got it

most people think of what happens in the surface but things do get somewhat exotic at those depths, as in REALLY exotic.