Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Strategies & Market Trends : The Residential Real Estate Crash Index -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bank Holding Company who wrote (251947)	6/4/2010 4:55:57 PM
From: Peter V	Read Replies (3) \| Respond to of 306849

they tried that already, attached to a recovery hose. hydrate crystals formed from the intense cold and clogged it. THat's why they are using the smaller top cap, with hot water or methanol injection to prevent crystal formation. THere is no way to seal the cone to the seafloor, and the well pressures are on the order of 9000 psi. What I don't understand is why they can't get a better seal on the top cap. You have that big flange to attach something to, and suppose you had some kind of annular (donut) seal to go around the pipe. You get the top cap in place, and crank it down onto the flange, compressing the annular seal against the exterior of the pipe. Alternatively, you undo the flange, and attach a flange that has a very large pipe with a valve on it, some serious valve like a BOP. You keep the valve open while you tighten down the flange (otherwise the well outflow would blow it off), and once tightened on, close the valve. Of course, doing these things via ROV at 5000 feet with a blowing wellhead might not be as easy as it sounds.