Via Bob Cesca:
One of the concerns everyone had about capping the BOP was that it might create other leaks in the sea floor -- leaks that are more difficult to plug. It sounds like it's happening now.
This is why I didn't comment/cheer when they capped the well.
Whether it's methane or oil, we could be in serious trouble.
A well respected geologist on The Oil Drum, ROCKMAN:
A top kill method is a very common way to get a shut in well under control. Been done 100's of times in the GOM on shut in wells. Those incidents never made headlines becuse no oil hit the water and no lives lost. But you've got to be 100% certain the BOP/well head/csg can handle to pressure. The injected mud has to push that 13,000' column of oil/NG all the way down and back into the reservoir. Obviously a gutsey call either way you roll.
For reference purposes, the well is currently a "shut in" well.
Personally, I'd be interested in knowing if the people working on the boats in the Gulf of Mexico are sleeping in lifeboats, and walking around with respirators on their belts.
Scary stuff.
