Joel Hendon

Testing of New Gulf Oil Cap In Progress, After Delays


Posted: Thursday, July 15, 2010

by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html

After a weekend of discussions with federal authorities and environmentalists over the new cap's possibilities of success or failure, BP began testing the cap on Wednesday.

They say there is no assurances that it will hold, however, it shows more promise than anything else which has been tried. It is fastened securely over the broken well. It has pipe arrangement on it's top about 18 feet tall with outlets and valves which can be closed individually.

It is a tedious process which they expect to take approximately 48 hours to completely close off the flow. Each step must be monitored, measured and carefully analyzed to be certain the pressure from the gushing oil is actually being controlled, or if other leaks appear.

All involved are keeping their fingers crossed while breathlessly hoping for success. As the cap is closed, the pressure will continue to rise and will be monitored by scientists to try and detect if there are other leaks below this primary one. If, when the cap is completely closed, the pressure does not become higher than 6,000 pounds per square inch, it may indicate another break at some other location.

The worst scenario that could be encountered is a massive break somewhere below the sea floor which might be impossible to contain. The results from such a condition is unimaginable. It was this factor which caused the delay over the weekend by scientists and federal officials. After considering the condition and strength of the massive rock formation below the floor surface, it was concluded that this was not a factor.

If the cap holds, it will then be determined as to whether to leave it closed or attach pipe to the connections and allow oil to be routed to surface tankers.

Scientists are studying and trying to evaluate the damage which has already been done to the gulf's ecosystem. Although much damage has already been done, it has seemingly been mercifully small up to this point, considering the massive size of this oil spill.

Hopefully, it can remain small if the flow can be stopped. We should have some type answer within another 24-36 hour period.

For a detailed Associated Press account, Click Here.

Author Biography: Joel Hendon was born near Gadsden Alabama. He attended public schools in Cherokee County, Alabama and after serving a tour of duty in the U.S. Army during the Korean War, attended Jacksonville State University, majoring in Business Administration. He became a Christian in 1948, and although he followed secular work as a career and retired from Allied Signal Aerospace, he is an avid student of the Holy Bible and related works as well as biblical history. He has an extensive website of conservative religious and political articles.http://hebronics.org/index.html

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Top-level comments on this article: (1 total)
» left by Jennifer Stewart
 1 year 310 days ago.
153 fans.
It will be such a relief if this works. I sincerely hope nobody lets BP off the hook re their responsibility for paying for the damage they've done, though.
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