BP Claims Gulf Well Has Been Stopped

An anonymous reader writes with word that BP has announced the Gulf oil spill has been stopped. Another reader adds more detail: "The last valve on the new cap has been closed, and the flow of oil and gas into the sea has stopped. That doesn't mean it's over. It is unclear whether the steel casing deep in the well can contain the pressure. The risk is that it could burst, which would eventually cause a rupture on the sea floor that would make things much messier to deal with. However, they're monitoring the pressure buildup carefully and if the pressure holds over the next 48 hours (indicating there is no leak below the sea floor), they'll assess what to do next. If it doesn't hold at the expected readings, then they'll re-attach the pipe used for producing to the surface and start collecting again. Regardless of what happens the relief well still has to be completed to permanently plug the well with cement, which could take a couple more weeks."

Comments

Whew

[Kell Bengal]

Thank god they got it closed before it became an ecological disaster.

Oh wait...

Re:Whew

[countertrolling]

I'm sure that no one wanted to stop the news leaks more than BP.

You're welcome...

Re:Whew

[Monkeedude1212]

Try not to think of it as an ecological disaster. Think of it as unproactive redistribution of wealth by giving some of the worlds unwealthiest wildlife a large sum of one of the worlds most sought after resources. They should be able to increase their underwater infrastructure a great deal if they use it all wisely.

Re:Whew

[ArsonSmith]

they are unwealthy wildlife because they have proven themselves unable to use it wisely.

Re:Whew

[blair1q]

They'd be wealthy if they just worked harder.

Re:Whew

[Bemopolis]

And giving them more oil just encourages them to lay about. Just look at those lazy bastards, floating sideways on the surface.

Re:Whew

[am 2k]

Corporations aren't the uncaring robot beasts you seem to be convinced they are. Corporations are still run by people.

That's technically true, but it has been proven time and again that in order to get into a top management position in a huge company, you have to be mentally disturbed in a way that you'd be in mental hospital if you weren't in that important position. Thus, decisions by large companies tend to reflect that kind of psychological pattern.

Re:Whew

[CheeseTroll]

If I was "premature" to the tune of 60,000 barrels/day, they'd have every right to be concerned. ;-)

What a shame

[Kenoli]

I was getting rather used to it.

Re:What a shame

[IICV]

When you read that title, pretend J.C. Denton is saying it. You'll have a pretty good idea of how the BP executives feel, I think.

Re:Picture or it didn't happen!

[impaledsunset]

Now that they stopped it, let's Slashdot it from the inside.

Re:How long

[syntheticmemory]

I was wondering how long it will be until DHS takes credit for it....

They Deserve No Credit

[Anonymous Coward]

They didn't fix it, the deposit just ran out.

A low tech solution ....

[Anonymous Coward]

It involved a Dutch boy in a wet suit.

Re:A low tech solution ....

[spun]

It involved a Dutch boy in a wet suit.

I put my finger in a dyke last night. She didn't seem to appreciate it very much.

BP Claims Gulf Well Has Been Stopped

[omar.sahal]

Rubbish get it from the horse's mouth BPGlobalPR

Re:How long

[Monkeedude1212]

Okay. I'm sorry. It was me. Now its your turn.

Gratuitous conspiracy theory

[poly_pusher]

Pfffft.... Documentation means nothing. Just look at the amazing work done on the faked moon landing!

Re:How long

[Shakrai]

Of course it was the previous administration's fault. Bush lied and pelicans died!