Author Archives: zerbe

BP Investor Presentation

Q. How was the $20 billion number for the compensation package established? A. Negotiation with the government. Nervousness with the cap of liability of $75 million based on oil and gas law of 1995. BP has assured that all the … Continue reading

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Hydrostatic Pressure as a Function of Depth

The static pressure caused by a fluid varies with depth according to: P = ρ gh where: P is the pressure in pascals; 1 pascal = 1 newton /meter2 ρ is the density of the fluid in kilograms /meter3 g … Continue reading

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Small Top Hat

Here are some images of the small top hat that is currently being used to recover around 11,000 barrels of oil in a twelve hour period (ranges vary from 7,780 to 14,570 barrels).

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Subsea Sea Water

Seawater is denser than fresh water because of the salts’ added mass. The freezing point of sea water is about -2 ºC. Deep in the ocean, under high pressure, seawater can reach a density of 1,050 kg•m−3 or higher. From … Continue reading

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Methane Hydrates

Use the methane hydrates that blocked the flow of oil in the first dome to freeze the BOP preventer and liquid inside the containment dome. Instead of having this be a hinderance for the subsea leak stopping, use it to … Continue reading

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Macondo Well Information

This chart shows the design, depth, diameter, and temperature of the Macondo Well where the oil from the BP oil spill is leaking from. PDF of Macondo Well

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Density of CO2

Molecular Weight Molecular weigh of CO2: 44.01 g/mol Molecular weight of H2O: 18.02 g/mol My approximation of the Molecular weight of Sea Water: 17.387 g/mol (????).

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Russian Nuclear Explosion to stop oil flame

The nuclear explosion was used as a last resort after a gas-well blaze lasted for three years. The incredible heat was a main deterrent in bringing the flame under control. The nuclear bomb was put down a drill shaft below … Continue reading

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Physical Conditions Present a Mile Down in Seawater

Here is a great post from grolaw on alternet.org. For the original article click here. grolaw writes: One thing I’ve noticed is that very little is published about the physical conditions present a mile down in seawater. That environment is … Continue reading

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Carbon Dioxide CO2 Properties

Molecular Weight Molecular weigh of CO2: 44.01 g/mol Molecular weight of H2O: 18.02 g/mol Molecular weight of Sea Water: 17.387 g/mol (????) Solid phase Latent heat of fusion (1,013 bar, at triple point) : 196.104 kJ/kg Solid density: 1562 kg/m3 … Continue reading

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Freezing Point of Salt Water

Generally, the freeing point of salt water is -2 ºC. H2O (water): 18.018 g/mol NaCL (salt): 58.443 g/mol Sea water is denser than freshwater Sea Water on average has a salinity of about 3.5% Weighted average of the molecular weight: … Continue reading

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Really Interesting Idea from Scott at the mindshaftgap

Here is a great article from Scott at the mindshaftgap.  He explores using liquid nitrogen to increase the viscosity of oil and eventually freeze it.  The article also provides some great figures and graphs on oil at varying temperatures.  The … Continue reading

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Stop the BP Oil Leak

The BP Oil spill is a tragedy on an epic scale.  The lack of any adequate resolution is a wake up call to the world of the trouble humans are capable of getting themselves in. My solution is to use … Continue reading

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