May 30, 2010 – After the failed top kill effort, BP is moving ahead with its next best hope to stem the oil, between 12,000 and 19,000 barrels a day, still flowing (live streaming) from the ruptured Deepwater Horizon well in the Gulf of Mexico. Preparations for the application of the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap have already begun. Sometime in the next few days, the first step, cutting the existing riser pipe, will be attempted by robots. See the graphic below.
After a clean cut is achieved, BP says that the LMRP Cap, designed to seal on top of the riser stub, will decrease the potential of inflow of seawater as well as improve the efficiency of oil recovery. In addition, lines carrying methanol also will also be connected to the device to help stop the formation of hydrates, which is what doomed the original "top hat" procedure. After the cap is in place, it will be connected to a riser extending from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship.
If this option is successful, BP officials say they hope to collect most of the oil pouring from the well, though they cannot know for sure how much will continue to flow since the cap will not provide a tight seal. If most of the oil can be contained, then the ongoing environmental damage will be much less than it might be, if the oil continues to gush into the Gulf O Mexico unchecked until the relief wells can be completed in August.
This process, which is expected to take from four to seven days, goes forward as disappointment at BP's failure to cap the well, is being expressed from the Gulf Coast to the highest levels of the U.S. government, including President Obama.
Yesterday, the President cautioned, "This approach is not without risk and has never been attempted before at this depth. That is why it was not activated until other methods had been exhausted. It will be difficult and will take several days. It is also important to note that while we were hopeful that the top kill would succeed, we were also mindful that there was a significant chance it would not. And we will continue to pursue any and all responsible means of stopping this leak until the completion of the two relief wells currently being drilled." Read the entire statement on BP's top kill failure.
CNN reported this morning that, in "recognition of this environmental issue," a team of oil spill experts is standing by in the United Arab Emirates. They will help in oil spill cleanup efforts in the Gulf of Mexico if asked to do so.
The Deepwater Horizon Unified Command has released this graphic of the procedure to cut the riser pipe.
BP LMRP Riser Removal Graphic Credit: Deepwater Horizon Unified Command Release
The Unified Command also released this graphic depiction of the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap procedure, which is one of several containment contingency options. The device would collect oil leaking from the top of the blow-out preventer.
BP LMRP Cap Graphic Credit: Deepwater Horizon Unified Command Release
PBS NewsHour makes available this continuously updated count of the oil flow from the Deepwater Horizon ruptured well:
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