• Question: This is not a question on drugs but I shall ask you anyway in case you know the answer: why can't BP stop the oil spill off the coast of the USA? Is there a scientific explanation, such as if drilling that deep causes high pressure(?), or is it simply the fact that they are unable to organise an efficient capping of the leak?

    Asked by laurenf to Darren, Deuan, Duncan, Lori-An, Michelle on 22 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Darren Nesbeth

      Darren Nesbeth answered on 17 Jun 2010:

      My understanding is that

      1) at that depth it’s hard to accurately move heavy machinery around.

      2) they are unable to devise an effective capping/controlling device.

      Many people think they should have made more holes in the first place to relieve the pressure.

    • Photo: Lori-An Etherington

      Lori-An Etherington answered on 21 Jun 2010:

      I think the main problems are the depth of the pipe (5000feet – about half a mile), cold temperature which is hindering attempts to fix it and a problem with a device which was meant to shut off the pipe when it burst but it failed. I dont know a lot about it though so hope this helps

    • Photo: Michelle Hudson-Shore

      Michelle Hudson-Shore answered on 22 Jun 2010:

      I don’t really know because I’m not an engineer. From what I understand they need to do something to relieve the pressure and cap the original leak as well. One thing that is definate it is going to cost them a lot of money to rectify all of the damage it has caused.

Comments