Delay in pulling out BP blowout preventer

[cal04]

Source: Associated Press

5-story device stopped 500 feet from surface due to hydrate buildup

Crews are having to wait to raise the device that failed to stop oil from spewing into the Gulf of Mexico.

Darin Hilton, the captain of the Helix Q4000 vessel that's lifting the 300-ton blowout preventer to the surface, said Saturday that hydrates have built up on the 5-story device. Crews have to wait for icy hydrates to melt before the device can be lifted the final 500 feet to the surface.

BP spokesman Neil Chapman says the device likely won't reach the deck until around 7 p.m. ET.

The blowout preventer is considered a key piece of evidence in the investigation into the oil spill. FBI agents are on board the vessel to take possession of the device once it's on board.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/39005773/ns/us_news-environment/

[skoalyman]

1. or in other words remove incriminating evidents

j/k but who knows:shrug:

[bherrera]

2. Device was held at 500 ft to melt hydrates

This is a safety issue. The device is now at the surface, and federal agents are taking over its control. It will be taken to the land where it will be examined by government agents. This is a forensic examination by experts because it can involve a criminal case, due to the deaths of the workers. There is no conspiracy, there is no movement to remove incriminating evidence, and there are quite a few underwater and surface cameras recording the event. This is very interesting, as an engineer I am very curious to find out what went wrong with such a massive device.

[backscatter712]

3. By hydrates, we're talking about "fire ice", yes?

Methane hydrates, which is basically a form of water ice with methane molecules in it.

Yeah, could be a bit of a fire hazard on the surface...

[rug]

4. Any delay in pulling out can have significant consequences.

[groundloop]

5. And why's that?

What's a few hours (or even a day) in the name of safety?

[rug]

6. Well, support payments for one thing.