BP's leaky well to stay capped during storm

[Baclava]

Source: Houston Chronicle / AP

ON THE GULF OF MEXICO – The temporary cap on BP's ruptured oil well can stay closed even if ships evacuate the Gulf of Mexico during a tropical storm, the federal government's oil spill chief said Thursday.

Growing confidence in the experimental cap's security convinced scientists it was safe to leave it unmonitored for a few days, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said.

Allen said they'll decide Thursday evening whether ships will have to leave.

"The decision has been made to leave the cap on, even if the well is unattended," Allen said.

Forecasters at the U.S. National Hurricane Center in Miami say the storm system has already caused flooding in Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and Haiti. It could become Tropical Storm Bonnie later Thursday and reach the Gulf of Mexico by Saturday.


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better than opening the spigot - hope it holds



Read more: http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/ap/top/all/7120199.html

[Hosnon]

1. How far down can surface activity cause significant effects? nt.

[Baclava]

2. I'd guess - 100 m or so? ...... not 5000 ft down n/t

[Hosnon]

3. My first thought is that a mile down is pretty insulated from surface activity - even a massive

hurricane.

But I have nothing to back that up with...

[NickB79]

4. Without ships on site, they can't monitor the pressure properly

That is what they are most worried about, not that the storm will disrupt the cap. At least, that's what the papers are reporting.

[Raschel]

5. A few days ago the gov't wanted BP to remove the cap and BP didn't want to.

I'm assuming that had to do with concerns about pressure.

With the cap leaking and another area seeping I would think they would still want BP to remove the cap.

:shrug:

[waronbanks]

7. They do but BP is refusing and they are in control.

they dont give one shit what our government says. They do what they want and flip the bird to America every fucking day.

[dipsydoodle]

8. Each 24 hour extension has had official approval

.

[Hosnon]

6. But with the storm overhead or nearby, they wouldn't be able to do anything anyway. nt.

[rabies1]

9. Why believe one damn thing they say anyway???

I think BP is just like Bush - the exact opposite is usually the truth.

I believe the new leaks ARE dangerous and of course the well wont hold up to the storm.
Relief wells will make it better? - Leave it alone before you f*** it up further.

[Raschel]

11. I share your sentiment.

[Baclava]

10. ¡Hola Bonne

[nalnn]

12. Storm track

The projections I have seen (and apparently so has the CG) show Bonnie going directly over the well site and into MS, LA, AL. I suppose that leaving the well capped until they can get the ships back on station is the best course of action. I think uncapping it would make it worse if anything.

I do not however look forward to a hurricane coming to this region at this time. :(