...

 TR> I wonder why they don't lower a large, bell-shaped
 TR> structure to the leak, and channel the spewing oil up to
 TR> the surface and into a waiting tanker?

 That was one of the first things they tried. The gas escaping
 from the well iced up the hose.

 TR> Instead of letting it just spread all over as it comes out
 TR> down there, and instead of trying to `plug' it, why not
 TR> `channel' its direction of flow, and make that channeling
 TR> of direction the surface where it can be loaded up?

 That is more or less what they are going to try again.

 TR> My biggest wonder is that, they had the technology and
 TR> expertise to `locate' a spot to drill that deep, had the
 TR> technology to get the drill bits down there and do the
 TR> drilling........but had no successful plan to fall back on
 TR> in the event that something went wrong.

 They had a plan, but didn't spend any money having it ready. In
 Canada they require a plan for a relief well in case of such a
 blowout, and the oil companies have been lobbying to get Canada
 to drop that requirement. Not even a well in place, but an
 effective plan to drill one.

 Somehow I expect they will have a bit of trouble getting that
 rule repealed now.

 TR> My thought is the technology hasn't developed far enough
 TR> safety-wise for anyone, anywhere in the world, to be
 TR> drilling that deep.

 You damned liberal enviornmentalist!

BOB KLAHN bob.klahn{at}sev.org   http://home.toltbbs.com/bobklahn

... Pilots are never lost--momentarily disoriented, maybe--but never lost!
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