Finally, Some Good News About The Gulf Oil Spill

For almost a month, we have heard nothing but bad news about the oil spill in the Gulf Coast. Now, finally there is some good news. Yesterday, BP PLC. managed to cap one of the wells and has now begun the process of channeling the gushing oil into a pipe and onto a tanker.

The company's first attempt to attach the pipe on May 16th, was only partially successful as the tube dislodged shortly after it was inserted. However, the engineers persevered, bringing the frame back to the surface, readjusting it, and sending it back down to the opening with the help of a robotic arm.

Now firmly in place, the pipe is sucking up about 1000bbl of oil per day and channeling it into an oil tanker. This is only a portion of the total that is still gushing out, but BP is cautiously increasing the volume and hopes that soon they will able to draw up at least half of the spewing oil through this tube.

Later this week, the company is planning to attempt a tactic known as 'Top Kill' to block the gushing broken oil wells. This method involves shooting some heavy drilling fluids to counteract the pressure from the gushing oil and then immediately following it with a 'junk shot', which literally means blocking the opening with junk items like golf balls, cement, pieces of tires etc. If it works it will block the gushing oil temporarily, allowing the company to implement a permanent solution, which would involve drilling two relief oil wells. Stay tuned for some more good news.

source: icis.com