Best Diagram of the latest method to capture oil.

[Statistical]

http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/25/us/20100525-topkill-diagram.html?ref=us

Step #1 - Crude cut with giant clamps - Completed
Step #2 - Precise cut with diamond ribbon saw (to provide for good seal) - partially completed but saw stuck.
Step #3 - Lower docking assembly & pipe to seal top of BOP and move oil to surface - awaiting #2

Couple things give this a better than than the first dome:
a) tight fit against pipe means higher level of capture
b) cap fits onto BOP rather than sinking into the muddy ocean floor (the ocean "floor" is about hundred feet of silt).
c) Methanol injected into oil to prevent/reduce freezing
d) inner pipe for oil surrounded by larger pipe with warmed seawater to increase temperature of oil/gas.

[nashville_brook]

1. has there been any discussion of what can/will be done about the stuck saw?

[Statistical]

2. Not that I have seen. The sad/crappy part

is to my untrained eye it looks like they were 80%-90% done when it jammed.

Kinda like sawing a tree limb as you get close to the end weight of tree limb pinches the blade and can cause it to jam.

My guess would be if they could "grab" and move the riser pipe slightly in opposite direction it would open a gap to finish the cut.
I guess the risk if you don't want to be forcing the riser pipe around willy-nilly and crack connection between bottom of BOP and casing.

[NYC_SKP]

6. IIRC, it was only about 45% through last night when it jammed.

And it does seem like they used the shear to jostle it and free up the wire, and this was confirmed by Adm. Allen on CNN.

Agree that the last thing they want to do is to compromise the integrity of the BOP to Casing connection.

DU BOP ROV Under Sea discussion thread: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=8468094&mesg_id=8468094

:thumbsup:

[Statistical]

7. Oh boo. only 45% huh? Well come on ROV operator.

Half way there. Get that saw free and get that pipe cut clean.

[NYC_SKP]

8. I suggested that the hardened steel drill pipe inside the riser might have caused the jam.

Others say it's unlikely because it should have been immobilized at the kink.

Hard to tell, but sawing a pipe within a pipe would be a challenge if that inner pipe isn't dead solid in place.

:shrug:

[Statistical]

10. Yeah and working remotely means you don't get feedback.

I mean you can't feel the equipment binding. Sure you got gauges and sensors but you don't have that immediate feedback like being "on the job".

[NYC_SKP]

11. Check out the chunks of methane hydrate "ice" in this different feed:

http://interactive.foxnews.com/livestream/live.html?chanId=2

Right now I'm seeing gauges and a big chunk of ice, presumably at the rear or side of the wire saw.

On Edit....It's moved away from that spot.

Damn.

[Statistical]

4. Looks like moving the pipe to take pressure off saw is the plan.

http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSN0225721520100602

Just like a tree limb that binds on a saw. You need to have someone lift up on limb to take pressure off saw to finish cut.

Of course this "tree limb" weight tons, is a mile below ocean, has massive amount of oil flowing out of it, and can only be reached by robots. Other than that just move the limb and finish the cut. :)

[Electric Monk]

5. ...

[NYC_SKP]

3. That's about as clear as a good diagram could be. K and R. A very informative video is here:

This video details the process.

It also covers some other issues, like what happens during a hurricane to the pumping apparatus post LMRP.

http://bp.concerts.com/gom/kentwellstechupdatelong053110.htm

:patriot:

[thereismore]

9. I hope the cement seal will hold. Here's to Halliburton! nt

[liberal N proud]

12. All by robot

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

13. You forgot steps 4 (???) and 5 (Profit!)

Sorry. I'll go away now.

[applegrove]

14. vibes that it works.

[TexasObserver]

15. recommend