BP unleashes saw-wielding robots in an attempt to plug the leak (livestream)
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted June 1st 2010 12:01PM
posted June 1st 2010 12:01PM
It might not look like much at the moment, but as we type this BP is sending its vicious saw-wielding robots down to the site of the oil spill in its latest attempt to scuttle the leak -- and CBS is livestreaming the whole affair! Hit the source link to see it for yourself.
Update: Looks like CBS switched programming to re-runs of Becker or something. We've updated the source link.
Update: Looks like CBS switched programming to re-runs of Becker or something. We've updated the source link.
Yay! Another attempt. (Soon to be failed attempt).
@Digi
The world's largest butt plug.
@Digi
Just shove a few of the BP executives into the hole to plug it. With the rate of BS they spew out, it should clog the leak in no time,
@Digi
Why hasn't anyone thought of plugging it up with a giant tampon?
@Digi
What I don't understand is why all the pipes don't have a clogging mechanism installed in case some shit like this happens. If one breaks off, they could detain the spill by closing the one below until they get it properly fixed. (yes, I do realize there's a lot of pressure from the oil)
Next up are marshmallows and packets of hot cocoa mix. If that doesn't work, they'll try seasoning packets from cup 'o noodles!
You know all the American oil companies are thanking the money gods this was not their rig.
@DooMskis
Hooray, a reason to hate Redcoats again! Finally!
@DooMskis Ever heard of a little company called Halliburton? They were the ones responsible for the work that led to this disaster.
@DooMskis Just because its not their rig does't mean they're not responsible.
@RincewindWiz
Halliburton performed job based on Transocean and BP engineering specifications and guidelines, whether or not they botched it, the engineering was off or if the cementing had anything to do with the blowout in the first place remains to be seen.
If you must find a conspiracy theory the only why not the one that involves collusion between "Beyond Petroleum" and those handing out tax payer subsidies for the various alternative energies which BP is very heavily invested in. Anyone with an interest in profiting from less efficient energy sources must first find a way to artificially drive up the price of current sources or make obtaining them too cumbersome.
@TimeForTheFairTax
Haliburton is the worst company in existance. They have a record of shotty workmenship and total lack of ethics for profit. It wouldn't at all surprise me if they were the reason for the oil disaster.
A nuclear bomb would stop the leak, but no one wants to stop it. As Rahm said "You never let a serious crisis go to waste."
@Mr Pips
Because setting off a nuclear explosion in the gulf of mexico is a much better option then oil leaking...
@Mr Pips
Can you explain to me how a nuclear explosion could stop the leak rather than make it bigger?
@gambiting Russia has successfully used nukes 5 times in the past to stop oil leaks underwater. Google it.
@gambiting
It would fuse the metals and collapse the well. The oil field is over 2 miles below the ocean floor, so it would be untouched. It's possible to achieve the same effect with conventional weapons, but a low yield tactical nuke would ensure that it closes.
@ramifications The Russians have successfully used controlled nuclear explosions to contain oil spills multiple times already. There already has been thousands of subterranean nuclear blasts performed by various countries on top of that. Also it has to be mentioned that the nuclear contamination would be less damaging then the oil spill in its current form.
"Russia has successfully used nukes 5 times in the past to stop oil leaks underwater. Google it."
Can you provide a source for this? I did Google it and have not found anything reputable. I'm not saying you're wrong, but simply stating something in a comment does not make it true.
Detonating a bomb of any kind is a blunt force solution and could have any number of unintended consequences.
@XGM
To be fair, they have performed this before but it was to extuingish gas well fires underground, not to stop oil from flowing underground and underwater.
At this point, I think they need to start entertaining every option available because it's been over 40 days flowing instead of continuing on the path they are using.
I do not know enough about the theories behind nuclear detonation, but I do think they should research it to see whether it would be a viable solution.
Theres plenty of information about it here:
http://fabiusmaximus.wordpress.com/2010/05/29/052910nuke/
http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/PNE-Peaceful-Nuclear-Explosions-inf126.html
@gambiting
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpPNQoTlacU
watch people this is how a nuke will save us, the leak is about a few miles down.. pretty deep and a good distance away. Hope the radiation doesnt seep into the water tho..
@n2neee And it what liberal world would a nuke be an option to use? We can't even agree on how to dispose of nuclear waste, or how to build new plants. How many Greenpeace vessels would you bet try to get in the area of detonation to stop the countdown?
Not that I would miss them, but of any western country tried this they would get fried in the media. Would love to have the Star Trek guy read the press release though. Say "nuclear vessels" LoL
@silencets Best info on this (best info on the spill in general, actually) seems to be on The Oil Drum. By the sounds of things, it's unlikely we'd have a nuke of an appropriate size and robustness available (able to withstand pressure and temperature and still operate), and even if we did, we'd have to drill down next to the well and detonate. The Russians needed to use the nuclear option because they didn't know precisely where the wells they were killing were. We do, in which case we might as well just drill a relief well instead. It's about the same amount of work, doesn't require a bomb, and you're not detonating a nuke. It's also worth noting that the Russians attempted other options sometimes for years before resorting to the nuclear option in their gas well leaks.
http://anz.theoildrum.com/node/6532
@Mr Pips One of the Russian guys who had something to do with the subject said it only had a 20% chance of working. So no, it probably wouldn't be a good idea.
They start as saw wielding robots and monkeys, next thing you know we're locked up in cages and hiding in caves...
@malexandria1 Today undersea oil rigs, tomorrow shipping, and by the end of next week they'll evolve legs to take over the world.
If everybody stops tanking @BP, they will learn their lesson I hope
*new idea* gather all of BP's top executives and throw them down a pipe (laid down by these crazy water robots) and try to stuff them to stop the leak.
I hope there's a special place in hell for the BP bastards responsible for this debacle.
@natefrog
congress?
@natefrog Try Halliburton - but they're already booked on a 1-way trip to hell.
@RincewindWiz
Halliburton was the drilling contractor for this. Last thing we need is BP execs working at Halliburton. With our luck, they'd cause mass divisions by zero and the world would implode.
@natefrog
If you have never used a single joule of energy in your whole life then right on and have a good day. Otherwise you and ALL of the rest of us share in the responsibility for the oil spill. Our civilization has thrived and is almost totally dependent on the stored energy of fossil fuels. This is part of the cost. Demonizing BP is self gratifying but destructive. I'm sure the 11 dead BP employees wanted this to happen. BP lost a zillion dollar oil rig too. Yeah, they looked forward to that. And that multibillion dollar stock value hit, couldn't wait for that either.
This is the messy aftermath of a necessary undertaking. Please don't pretend you have no part in it.
@cmoswizard Wow, listen to Mr. Self Righteous Asshole. Yeah we all use the stuff, and the dollar value of the lost property is large (not large enough to erase 5+ years of tremendously ridiculous profits on our backs) and the loss of life is regrettable but they were the ones that took advantage of bribable government employees to bypass safety inspections. Don't try to put this back on us.
@cmoswizard
By that logic, all problems are the result of humans' evolution. Nay, life itself causes problems. Life should have just snuffed itself out billions of years ago to avoid all the complications.
The more logical of us will see that drilling for oil and oil demand are separate parts of this problem. The leak was caused by inadequate safety procedures and lax regulation. The demand for oil is a societal problem that has different causes and solutions. Perhaps you wouldn't need so much oil if you didn't have such a large cross to haul around.
@cmoswizard
So it's the consumers fault that BP acted with a disregard of safety is it?
Your argument ignores the ever growing list of facts that BP acted recklessly and pushed to accelerate progress to a dangerous speed in the weeks and days prior to this happening and misses the point completely. This isn't an issue of whether we use fossil fuels or not. It's about how and why it happened and the facts are pointing to BP saying that they didn't follow safety regulations and acted stupidly.
To blame people for using a product sold by BP is ludicrous. That's like blaming everyone who had a hand in making my vehicle because I decided to drive at 100+ miles per hour, got into a wreck and killed someone.
Idea, explode the BOP, then drop a multi-ton cement cap or bock ontop.
What a frustrating view. I see they've grabbed a pipe with a claw arm and are now waving it around in front of the camera.
While the USACE and the EPA are still blocking Louisiana's plans to protect its coast, only the federal government would consider 12 days an adequate turn around time for a decision on an 'emergency permit'. In true bumbling detached federal bureaucrat form they have only cleared about 40% of the requested barriers saying they need more time to study any potential ecological problems the others might cause... guess the oil doesn't look like much of an ecological threat from Washington.
@TimeForTheFairTax
Yes, let's blame the government for taking the time to regulate the implementation of something. If the government would just let people do whatever the hell they want in order to try to protect the coast, nothing bad will happen!
Oh, and let's also blame the government for NOT taking the time to regulate implementation of something. If the government would have just stopped the three oil stooges for a second to inspect their work, then this could have been avoided with no related consequences!
What? Oil prices go up if the government takes the time to inspect something and forces organizations to make changes if they find something wrong? Let's blame them for taking the time to regulate the implementation of something! Just let oil companies and their contractors do whatever they want without oversight, nothing bad will happen!
Nuke it from space?
Is BP trying to cap the Gulf oil well, or keep it flowing? (opinion) \/\/\/
http://www.naturalnews.com/028898_British_Petroleum_Gulf_Coast.html
In any other country the leader of BP would be in prison by now, but you make a million dollar campaign contribution to Obama it's all cool.
Where's the trial? US complains about other countries environmental stuff, but just look at bp, exxon, enron & here's a new one the media is keeping buried Yankee nuclear plant leak ( do a search now the fish are radiactive - thanks)
Like watching Edward Scissorhands trying to use chopsticks. Dear Gulf of Mexico: you're fucked.