BP's ‘dome' is unable to contain leak by Magdalena Rosova

BP Plc, the third largest global energy company, did not succeed in lowering a giant containment dome on the sea floor. The dome was supposed to trap oil from a blown-out Gulf of Mexico oil well. The plan failed because of a technical obstacle in the form of methane hydrates. Methane hydrates stopped the dome as the officials were maneuvering it into place. Doug Suttles, BP’s chief operating office, said: “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.” Suttles does not think the plan had failed and hopes they would find the way ho! w to get the dome to the right place. The structure is now the only way BP could get the leak under the control. If the dome does not work, it may take up to three months to stop the leak. The structure should redirect the flow of crude from nearly 1.6 km below the water and then pump it to a surface tanker. There is a possible threat that leaking oil will create an environmental disaster for four Gulf Coast states. The problem is that methane hydrates was clogging up the opening in the dome and therefore it had to be set aside. Now the dome is on the ocean floor about 200 meters from the source of the leak. BP will probably try to use hot water, which can heat up the hydrates or there is also possibility of using hydrocarbons like methanol to thin them out.

related story (sgx17233): http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/international-busin! ...< br>

by Magdalena Rosova for Cantell TV (http://cantell.tv)

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