Is this like amputating your head to cure a headache?

[Naki Rat]

BP's live feed of the GOM oil spill 'control' measures. Are you sure this is really the best fix??

Well, when you've tried everything else you gotta reach a point of 'what more could we lose?'

[Tank]

i dunno.

But a live webcam from the bottom of the gulf is kind of cool.

bastard about the situation its showing tho'

[R6_kid:Me]

I wonder what the chances of something like this happening 'naturally' after an undersea earthquake are?

[Naki Rat]

i dunno.

But a live webcam from the bottom of the gulf is kind of cool.

bastard about the situation its showing tho'

Received a comment back when the rig sunk and this spill started from a friend working in the offshore oil industry stateside that "this is going to make the Exxon Valdez look like a picnic". Unfortunately he is being proved right and by current comments the Gulf of Mexico is going to be the worlds biggest cesspit by August when they now expect the flow to be stemmed

[Naki Rat]

I wonder what the chances of something like this happening 'naturally' after an undersea earthquake are?

Pretty much nil

Edit: unless you're thinking of the earthquake damaging an oil well, in which case still pretty long odds but the BOP (blow out preventer) should cut in to stop the flow (as it didn't do in this case )

[SMOKEU]

That video doesn't work.

[Naki Rat]

That video doesn't work.

Yes it does. Problem your end.

[SMOKEU]

Yes it does. Problem your end.

All I get is a message asking me if I want to search for a suitable plug-in for it to work. When I clicked to search for the plug-in, Firefox couldn't find one.

[slofox]

Maybe they need to use the Russian fix...nuke it.

[AllanB]

Apparently they are in discussions with the Japanese on how to fix it.

One plan is to catch a sperm whale then force it down the hole. Pretty sure it's called 'scientific research'.

[rainman]

But a live webcam from the bottom of the gulf is kind of cool.

Isn't it just. Must be in a pretty good tin can!

I wonder what the chances of something like this happening 'naturally' after an undersea earthquake are?

I'd expect pretty remote - they are drilling in 5000ft of water, and the oil is another 15000ft or so below that, if my maths is right. If we have an earthquake big enough to open a hole 3 miles or so underground I think we have bigger problems than an oil leak!

[Naki Rat]

Just watched the 60 Minutes story about the Deepwater Horizon incident. Absolutely chilling, especially for someone who has spent time on the rigs and has seen first hand safety take a second place when production targets are slipping or a problem needs to be 'sorted'.

BP are in for the high jump if that story is anything to go by No wonder their shares are heading south.

Link here

[Jonathan]

Apparently they are in discussions with the Japanese on how to fix it.

One plan is to catch a sperm whale then force it down the hole. Pretty sure it's called 'scientific research'.

Hey awesome! Their scientific research finally bears fruit!

Seriously though, hard to believe that the worlds biggest superpower with its practically limitless resources is having such a hard time plugging the damn hole. Also strange that they leave it to a private commercial entity to solve when such an entity would naturally place its own interests over and above environmental considerations. I am not saying BP isn't trying its hardest, but it still will balance any solution against the cost to the company.

[Naki Rat]

Hey awesome! Their scientific research finally bears fruit!

Seriously though, hard to believe that the worlds biggest superpower with its practically limitless resources is having such a hard time plugging the damn hole. Also strange that they leave it to a private commercial entity to solve when such an entity would naturally place its own interests over and above environmental considerations. I am not saying BP isn't trying its hardest, but it still will balance any solution against the cost to the company.

The oil companies are the only ones with the skills to handle the problem, and besides as soon as the goverment or another oil company takes any action it will give BP an excuse to shift blame.

[Jonathan]

The oil companies are the only ones with the skills to handle the problem, and besides as soon as the goverment or another oil company takes any action it will give BP an excuse to shift blame.

Yeah, that's the thing. The government could have commandeered BP's expertise and resources and delivered them the bill afterwards but they want to avoid responsibility if things don't pan out, or prevent BP from avoiding responsibility ...