Ixtoc spill (1979), 160 feet below the surface, took 10 months to stop

[ProSense]

In 1979, Less Complicated Oil Leak Took 10 Months To Stop

<...>

Thirty-one years later, we haven't come that far technologically with how we deal with underwater oil drilling spills. The Mexican company running the Ixtoc I rig attempted a slew of now-familiar remedies --- they pumped mud into the well, capped it with a metal "sombrero," shot lead balls into the well and drilled relief wells -- but it took 10 months to stop the leak even though the drilling was taking place just 160 feet below the surface.

The Deepwater Horizon, which blew on April 20, was drilling 5,000 feet underwater.

<...>

[Cha]

1. Wow! Thanks for the historical context, PS. nt

[proud patriot]

2. Thanks I just shared with friends

I hope we can learn something

[flpoljunkie]

3. This is truly scary for all of us--whether we live anywhere near the Gulf Coast or not.

[LeftyAndProud60]

4. Anyone else notice that Presidents lose re-election after these things? nt

[vaberella]

8. I haven't seen it. But I can say...I doubt President's are affected too much by these things.

Mainly since they're not an oil company.

[CreekDog]

9. dude, try a little more subtle

:rofl:

you'll last if you aren't so obvious!

[Jennicut]

5. This may take 4 months instead of 9. I guess that is progress but we have not come

that far at all in 30 years, have we?

[MessiahRp]

6. Some trolls have unrec'd this to the point where my rec still has this at 0

Gotta have the corporate protectionists out there covering some Washington asses on this don't they?

[jtrockville]

11. Crazy... my rec brought it up to 3, but it was 5 before i rec'd it.

[Name removed]

14. Deleted message

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[vaberella]

7. Finally a logical comparison. Although our technology and some back then are very different.

I's going to take a while to stop this non-sense.

[BeFree]

10. No not logical

They were able to burn a large portion of the oil from Ixtoc on the surface, right above the leak.

Most of the oil from Ixtoc did surface and was able to be cleaned up and recycled.
BP's oil is mainly entrained in the water below the surface due to the depth of release and the dispersant used.

The comparisons are not valid. And the gulf was severely harmed by Ixtoc. It has not 'recovered' from the damage.

[Teaser]

12. you are not the arbiter of logic

.

[BeFree]

13. Yes I am

Who the fuck are you to say I am not? Huh? Who the fuck are you?

[vaberella]

16. It's far more logical than comparing it to Wounded Knee or Iranian Missle Crisis. n/t

[Canuckistanian]

15. And 30 years later, there's STILL no better way of stopping a leak

Doesn't say much about the oil companies' ability to learn how to STOP oil wells from gushing.