ooh, the BP ROV camera shows one big ass rotary saw blade – first interesting thing I’ve see :)
Live Video
They’re cutting away the extraneous “stuff” around the main case – you can see the BOP and the bent over riser pipe and the oil spewing out
The Plan is to use a ram to cut off the riser pipe, then use a “diamond wire” to make a clean straight cut – then attach a collector with a grommet on the bottom to provide a tight seal – and a riser up to a drilling ship – theyll pump in methanol (at least in the beginning to keep the hydrates from forming)
4:30 pm (ET) – the lower riser attachment is on the ocean floor
7:30 AM (Tuesday) – the giant pipe snipper is in view
7 PM (Tuesday ) – big snip coming – the sun will set soon so the TV reporters won’t have pics of this surge in oil flow :)
8:40 PM (Tuesday) – Diamond string is place ready to cut. Get the popcorn ready.
9:40 PM – cutting underway This is the company that makes the machine. This is truly “off the sheft” technology…
It’s getting clearer that BP’s goal is (and has been) to recover the well for production. Assuming this lower riser package works, BP plans to install a free standing riser. The problem they face is if a hurricane shows up, the riser can’t be connected to the drilling ship or the drilling rig – which would have to evacuate the area. The free standing riser would not need the ships to stay in place – the ship could disconnect.
If the ship can disconnect from the riser – it’s a logical inference that there is going to be a valve at the top of the riser…. in which case they would have the ability to shut off the flow. With the valve at the top closed, the amount leaking at the bottom (if any) will increase…..