Reply #50: I think the accelerated flow was because of the upcoming attempt to force-feed mud.

[Stevepol]

I heard one explanation where the guy said that BP had to first blow off certain parts of the shut-off valve so they could pump the mud into the pipe. I think when they blew off the valves or seals or whatever is when the increased flow was seen. But then very soon they began forcing the drilling mud into the pipe. Taht's why the color changed to half brown and half black. The brown was the mud being thrown back up by the pressure from the leak. They kept pouring in the mud, however, and maybe there has been modest success because some of the later reports indicate that the flow has decreased or perhaps at least temporarily stopped. It's possible that the mud will work. The mud reacts to pressure by swelling and hardening, thus shutting off the flow, I believe is what the guy said. IN order for that to happen they have to fill the pipe to a certain level w/ the mud.

But they won't know if the flow is entirely stopped for a day or more. If and when the flow stops, they hope to use cement or concrete, something like that to permanently seal off the well.