Some food for thought... What if its not stopping the leak that needs to happen? What if it is that BP and it engineers need to create a way that organizes the flow and brings the actual gusher to the surface to work on as opposed to just trying to cap it and "turn it off" under water. It is obvious we can't do much underwater, but what about on the surface? What if a simple plumber has the answer as to how to turn off this leaking faucet? Maybe it's not how to "stop" the leak we need to be thinking about first, but reorganize the plan and figure out how to bring th leak to a place where we can then stop it. What I have been looking for is the actual design of the top hat itself. Oil is still leaking from it and I think I have a kindergarden idea as to how to bring the leak to the surface so we can actually see what we are working on as opposed to relying on secondary eyes (the underwater camera). I think the best way to approach this is exactly how we would approach a leaky sink pipe. Only this leaky sink pipe is underwater. I understand this complicates things, but how do we bring this leak to an area where we can work on it? My uncle has done lots of work around the house, from redoing our bathrooms, putting in new water heaters, insulating and dry walling, painting, cauking (sp?), sanding, refurbishing, you name it and he learned how to do it all himself and watching him I have learned a thing or two about how remodeling and house piping works. Any plumbers out there? You guys are the ones who probably have the answer. Sure the technology is on a much larger scale than any of you have probably ever worked on ever, but the concept and the idea is the same, its a leak in the pipe that needs to be fixed.
My idea for this leaky pipe might be simple and it probably won't work, but it's still an idea. First we need a pipe not with a sit on top design, but that the bottom part of the pipe sinks into the leak. Both ends must be sealed to avoid getting water inside the pipe, but at the top of the pipe is two buttons; one to open the bottom seal and one to open the top seal. The pipe needs to be as long as it takes to reach the surface of the ocean and before the pipe is even put into place the area of the leak needs to be cleanly severed and a thread needs to be created to screw on an attachment connector. Once the attachment connector is in place two ships each carrying one end of the pipe along with cranes to place the pipe must position itself where the middle of the pipe is over the area of the leak then the cranes play a balancing act role to position the pipe (mind you as this is going on both ends must be sealed air tight) into the connector attachment and the smallest part should sink into the opening once in place the button to open the bottom seal needs to be pushed in order to relieve the pressure of the gushing oil. Once the pressure is released into the pipe workers must quickly, but safetly screw the pipe in place with the connector attachment or screw the connector attachment in place which ever would be more effecient. Then once all is in place and the workers have a clear view of the pipe protruding from the water they must open the top seal of the pipe to release the last of the pressure from the oil to prevent another blow out. If done in a timely manner with the seal releases, the pressure can escape without harming any individuals. Plus with push button seals (of course these seals would need to be extensively tested the make sure they work before putting the convert pipe in place) it gives the workers the opportunity to release the pressure from the pipe that will build up if only capped which could lead to another explosion. Once the pipe brings the leak to the surface were the workers can actually see what needs to be done from there and can work on it effectively hands on it is likely that this will contain the leak or atleast bring it from the ocean floor to an area where the workers can actually work on the leak as effectively as they can and can actually see what they are working on as opposed to, as I mentioned before, secondary eyes and have a direct vision of what they are working on.
This idea is not an easy task, and it might even sound similar to other ideas, nor will it be cheap, but hey it's still an idea and if anyone has any better ones SPEAK UP! This leak obviously isn't going to stop itself.
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