Attempts to collect oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico with a giant dome have failed after it became clogged with methane hydrates.
BP hoped that the dome could be used funnel oil seeping into the ocean after the sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig to the surface, where it could be collected. A smaller dome is now being prepared for a second attempt.
“As we were placing the dome over the leak source a large volume of hydrates formed inside the top of the dome, requiring us to move the dome to the side of the leak point,” says BP chief operating officer Doug Suttles (Reuters). “I wouldn’t say it’s failed yet.”
The company may try to heat up the larger dome in an effort to get rid of the hydrates.
Methane hydrates, also called methane clathrates, are deposits of frozen methane gas found at the bottom of the ocean. Some reports are now linking the deposits in the Gulf of Mexico with the accident that sank the Deepwater Horizon.
Also under consideration as a way to stop the leaking oil is a ‘junk shot’. This will involve forcing debris into the set of valves that form the blow out preventer, which failed to close and shut of the flow of oil automatically.
Over 10,000 people and 275 vessels are now engaged in dealing with the accident and its aftermath, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Past coverage
Oil spill science: The mission begins – 10 May
Deepwater Horizon spill updates – 7 May
Deepwater Horizon spill updates – 6 May
Deepwater Horizon spill round-up – 4 May
Ecologists brace for oil spill damage – 3 May
Oil ‘coming ashore’ from Deepwater Horizon spill – 30 April
Gulf of Mexico oil leak worse than thought – 29 April
Oil spill endangers fragile marshland – 27 April
Deepwater Horizon oil leak still unplugged – 26 April
Race on to contain oil slick after rig accident – 23 April
Image: slick extent, 4 May / NASA / MODIS


















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I am curious if any material scientists know of a material(s) that could be placed on the inside of this “dome” that would prevent/inhibit the formation of gas hydrate crystals? Thus allowing this “dome” to function properly.
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USE COLD ITS AN ALLY,
USE PELTIER UNITS,
USE YOUR BRAIN ITS A FRIEND.
GODSEND.
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If you want to find the bottleneck, the first place to look is at the top of the bottle. Management is stomach: it has no brain; it knows it is hungry, and the inevitable results are somebody else’s problem.
http://www.netl.doe.gov/technologies/oil-gas/futuresupply/methanehydrates/images/sub-nav/conditions_phasebase.gif
Bring on somebody with dirty fingernails and callouses from Texas.
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In the old days the main piping had an inner pipette, or side pipe-ts attached, to let out the methane and that was even collected for further use. Now what is to be done?
I am not the engineer named “Eghbal” in this day and age! However, I would see that whatever it is that is used to cause the pressure to push up the gas and the oil be stopped or removed at once. And then the pipe removed; and then the oil drill hole should be cemented – capped shut. That is all. Take the loss and learn a lesson!
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A simple cost effective method for prevention of methane hydrate formation during the dome operation.
A 100-ton concrete-and-steel vault will be mounted onto a ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico an important step in a delicate and unprecedented attempt to stop most of the gushing crude fouling the sea. The formation of methane hydrate has been seen to cause this operation to fail. They suggested of pumping methanol to act as antifreeze. Methanol will be used to prevent the formation of hydrate. Methanol is toxic and explosive. Methanol is a good anti freeze at normal pressure and temperature. It is not known how methanol is going to do at high pressure and low temperature. Another cost effective method to prevent the formation of crystalline methane hydrate is electrochemical. The inside of the dome is made from steel. This can act as an electrochemical electrode and can be used as a source of releasing gases. The easiest to release is chlorine or hydrogen depending on the applied potential. At high pressure and low temperature (conditions at the bottom of the gulf) the released gas may be in the supercritical conditions (Behave like liquid and gas). It is not known what will be the electrochemical overvoltage for gas release (how easy these gases can be released). However, this does not require special equipment for methanol release at high pressure and low temperature beside methanol is known to be very toxic and combustible. The equipments required for gas release are already available (used for cathodic protection) and very cost effective. The amount and duration of gas release can be controlled according to the requirement. The released gases will produce turbulence which may prevent the hydration and subsequent crystallisation of methane. The release of these gases may require a simple roughening of the interior surface of the steel. The surface of the steel may have to be sprayed with a catalyst that has a very low electrochemical overvoltage for releasing that particular gas. The surface may be sprayed with lead if for example oxygen gas is to be released.
M. Reda
CanadElectrochim
Calgary Alberta T2E5K7 Canada
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a large double wall polly or rubber based funnle with a heavy base once over the leak start pumping cement into the walls between the bags the ice shouldnot set on the soft plierble material once set insert a riser hose
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Using Marine Drilling risers to control the physical properties of Hydro-stasis, the pressure of the source is reduced. The solution is the same as the process of Oil extraction, with modifications to the Drill Casing; allowing the release of excess pressure from the Wellhead. Warming the “Bell”, reduces the formation of Hydrates. Controlling buoyancy of the “Bell” is paramount to correct positioning; achieved using Ingots and a Gasoline filled Ballast. The Perforated Casing is positioned into the “Bell” before placement in the water, or it can be lowered over the casing to create a sealing “Flange” where the two meet. Once in place, the Oil pressure will create a “locked” position for the two parts. The Casing is lowered to the wellhead, then anchored to the Seafloor. The Outer Casing then acts as a “sleeve” around the Marine Drilling Riser that contains the “String”, or Drilling Mud. As the Oil pressure increases, it flows out of the perforations and allows for the volumetric pressure to be gradually decreased by pulling the “String”. Remaining Inner Casing and Marine Drilling Riser is then slid down to the wellhead through the bell, completely stopping the oil from leaking out of the perforations
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Under the laws of the United States, which are prima facie laws, beaches and high seas belong to the United States proper- the people. And should there be public danger, per US constitution the US NAVY can take over without any court order. Its the NAVY who can and do know how to trap oil.
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Under the laws of the United States, which are prima facie laws, beaches and high seas belong to the United States proper- the people. And should there be public danger, per US constitution the US NAVY can take over without any court order. Its the NAVY who can and do know how to trap oil.
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Planetresource.net has a Eco friendly solution to clean up the tragedy British Petroleum has created, please watch the video animation:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=60bdQQQ3iVw and pass this along to as many people as you know.
One person can still make a difference in this world, is that simple interactions have a rippling effect. Each time this gets pass along, the hope in cleaning our planet is passed on.
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What if a rubber – plastic wall was to be floating / erected 2 miles all around the site of BP oil spill on the surface and all floating oil could then be collected from the surface trapped within that parameter? Kiumars L. 7/2/10
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I believe the simplest solution to the oil containment is to allow the oil under it own bouyancy to rise in solution with the sea water guided only by a P.V.C. (CHIMNEY).This chimney/containment barrier would require only to be positioned above the leak and be of sufficient diameter to collect the oil/water mix at the point where the oil has lost its pressure/velocity and starts to rise in the water column.The terminal equipment for collection would only require scavenge pumps mounted on a vessel which would support the chimney exit.The oil concentration at the surface would require minimal dewatering as by nature the oil would precipitate the water as it rises in the chimney.I feel that wasting time trying to solve the source of the problem is allowing un-necessary damage to continue.