For those watching the oil leak cams...

[tekisui]

The containment cap, LMRP, really seems to be bouncing around on top of the blowout preventer. I haven't looked at it in days, and am wondering if Alex is causing it to bounce around. What do those who have been following it think?

http://www.bp.com/liveassets/bp_internet/globalbp/globa...

[gateley]

1. I haven't even looked today, so went to TOD:

BP's Deepwater Oil Spill - Making the Connection- also Hurricane Effects - and Open Thread
Posted by Heading Out on June 30, 2010 - 10:30am
Topic: Environment/Sustainability
Tags: deepwater horizon, oil spill

First, a brief note on the impact of Hurricane Alex. While Alex is only a Category 1 hurricane, and well out of the way of the Deepwater Horizon operations, it is still stirring up 3 meter swells, which is about what Chuck Watson forecast. Drillships like Discoverer Enterprise can continue operations in up to 10 meter waves (think North Sea), so they won't have problems. The smaller support ships will be uncomfortable.

As we noted in a previous report, the waves are delaying connecting additional collection capacity, but are not interfering with existing collection or relief well drilling. Alex has completely shut down skimming and other off shore clean up operations. It seems likely to tear up some of the protective booms and spread oil to areas that haven't been oiled. One area of concern is Lake Ponchartrain.

http://www.theoildrum.com /

I'm going to go to the latest DU thread on it, I'll be back with info and link.

EDIT: Well, you beat me to the DU thread, so as you know, no reference there other than your post! I SO wish there was 24 hour coverage of this with play-by-play voiceovers. Fat chance.

[tridim]

2. Wow, yes it's moving all over the place

By far the worst movement I've seen so far.

[bear425]

3. I swear that if you keep staring at it that it looks as if it's a loop

I think I'll stop staring at it.

[tridim]

4. According to TOD's IRC channel there are 7 foot waves on the surface

So I guess the flex pipes are functioning, but just barely.

[tekisui]

5. Wow. I wonder how much flex they can handle.

[gateley]

7. I guess we'll find out. This is just too sad, to have this happen on top of all that's

happened so far.

[gateley]

6. It almost looks as though it's 'windy' down there, so I think you might be right.

The only time I lived in hurricane country we could really feel the effects of nearby hurricanes even if it wasn't active in our area, so maybe that's what's happening with the cap 5,000 down?