Detection of Methane Bubbles at High Pressures

I would have thought that the presence of Methane was a given, in whatever form, that the issue is that of dealing with it safely, and that the final analysis will probably show the blow out problem has arisen out of not doing what should have been done properly.

From my understanding, once the methane starts expanding, you don't have a whole lot of time to react. As it rises, decreasing pressure and the fact that it is confined to the relatively small diameter of the pipe string, one would expect it rises to the surface rather explosively...

Hi,

depending on the amount of drag in the pipe and the pressure my remain high until the mixture of gas and oil will spray out somewhere.

If this happens any droplet will transport some electric charge to the surfaces where it hits.

If these surfaces are not electrically conducting then the buildup of charge will eventually start arcing, this triggering tan explosion.

There have been minimum 3 accidents with oil tankers at internal cleaning with high pressure water-jets that did the same buildup of charge and resulted in a destructing explosion by residual volatile oil components mixed with air.

I suspect that the never officially cleared accident with TWA 800 flight that came down by an internal explosion of near-empty fuel-tanks had the same origin.

RHABE

I recently read that the operators detected metane in the pipe, and followed proceedures by reporting it up the command structure.BP and the drilling company held a meeting, in which it was decided to proceed anyway.Operators were left scratching their heads in amazement as they proceeded to follow orders and proceed.

The results of cost analysis over engineering concerns is now evident to the world.

The decision makers should be held PERSONALLY responsible for the financial expense of clea up, otherwise, what is their vested interest in preventing another occurence?

I mean totally financially wiping them out.Put them in the welfare line.Pushing a shopping cart.Picking up cans.Let them eat the fruit of their hubris.

I guarantee there would not be a repeat of such a flagrant disregard for safety aond environment as was dispalayed by this recent debacle.

The entire board of directors should also be required to live on the platorm on a rotating basis to ensure a personal stake in the welfare of all workers.They should sleep in the workers quarters, and dine elbow to elbow with the "common folk".

Of course this will never happen, it makes too much sense, and the legislators that make the laws that would govern this are too busy feathering their own nest to care.

Be aware of the day when the man with the hoe rises up.