I used to work in onshore oil production. In may experience even as cold as -30F gravity has enough force to move oil. That's why even if all the weight of the ocean above I have doubt chilling the oil can slow the flow enough to insert tools into the top. Time being relative here.i
There are off the shelf oil tools available that can be inserted in the pipe, that can lock into & pack off the pipe, so a valve atop the tool can be shut off. No doubt this will be done after the bottom kill is successful so the upper portion of the well can be plugged properly. I do have doubts that even with chilling the oil the flow can be reduced to a rate where anything can be inserted in the pipe at the top.
This seems liable, only problem I see is with the pressure, and buoyancy when working with the robotics. But it'd just take patience by the operator I guess. Something needs to be done now no question though..
Also how much pressure does that oil flow force, could the robot get the inner-pip and hydraulic bag inside? Maybe combine the methods to slow it before stopping it, maybe this is what you were talking about anyway?
@tjc0der You are correct about pressure. Liquid nitrogen would require a return line, actively pumped, to the surface or some other ejection system. This really isn't a show-stopper as literally any average grade of hydraulic flex line can handle the differential pressure. Chilled brine has a heat capacity much closer to that of the surrounding water and can easily be brought down to very low temperatures. That's what they use to freeze ice skating rinks. Chilled oil will thicken like tar.
I used to work in onshore oil production. In may experience even as cold as -30F gravity has enough force to move oil. That's why even if all the weight of the ocean above I have doubt chilling the oil can slow the flow enough to insert tools into the top. Time being relative here.i
westkan 1 year ago
There are off the shelf oil tools available that can be inserted in the pipe, that can lock into & pack off the pipe, so a valve atop the tool can be shut off. No doubt this will be done after the bottom kill is successful so the upper portion of the well can be plugged properly. I do have doubts that even with chilling the oil the flow can be reduced to a rate where anything can be inserted in the pipe at the top.
westkan 1 year ago
This seems liable, only problem I see is with the pressure, and buoyancy when working with the robotics. But it'd just take patience by the operator I guess. Something needs to be done now no question though..
Also how much pressure does that oil flow force, could the robot get the inner-pip and hydraulic bag inside? Maybe combine the methods to slow it before stopping it, maybe this is what you were talking about anyway?
tjc0der 1 year ago
@tjc0der You are correct about pressure. Liquid nitrogen would require a return line, actively pumped, to the surface or some other ejection system. This really isn't a show-stopper as literally any average grade of hydraulic flex line can handle the differential pressure. Chilled brine has a heat capacity much closer to that of the surrounding water and can easily be brought down to very low temperatures. That's what they use to freeze ice skating rinks. Chilled oil will thicken like tar.
thorargent 1 year ago
@thorargent Definitely sounds better than what they're implementing now.
tjc0der 1 year ago