We are now 74 days since BP's Oil rig explosion on 20th April 2010 where 11 workers were killed. It was caused by high pressure methane gas that forced its way up the drill column. A common problem except the excessive pressure that the drilling Engineer has underestimated. Because of the underestimation the cheaper and faster to install long-string design was adopted instead of the linear design that can cost BP an extra $7 millions to $10 millions.
BP's underwater camera at 5000 ft deep seabed showing 1.47 million gallons (35,000 barrels) of oil is being released everyday since 20th April. It will not stop until the leaking well can be intersected by a relief well in mid-August, the earliest. The 1st relief well, drilling through hard rock, has reach 10,677 feet below the seabed by yesterday. "Trying to hit the steel pipe of the leaking well that is not more than 6 inches wide," "It is going to be difficult", said the Geologist. "A couple of tries may be needed", said the Engineer.
Until 2nd July, 83.94 million gallons (about 2 million barrels) of oil has been released by the leaking well into the Gulf of Mexico. Everyday 1.47 million gallons of oil is being released until don't know when.
It is disastrous to the environment.
The wetlands
The beaches
Oil coated crab
Turtle eggs and baby turtles were transported to the Atlantic beaches.All this was caused by BP, listening to his Engineer, trying to save $ 7 millions. "The cheaper long-string design saves a good deal of time and money," said the drilling Engineer. At the end it may cause BP more than $100 billions.
Long-string design
The cheaper long-string design runs the length of the well and can be installed in one step. But it also creates a dangerous pathway for natural gas to rise unchecked outside the pipe .
Linear design
The more expensive linear design has more built-in places to prevent oil or gas from flowing up the well uncontrolled. There are more barriers to stop leakages.
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