Does anyone know if its just possible to blow up the site where the oil rig was, at the base, to simply shut the hole and plug up the entrance?

That don’t work under water. It would just break up the base and most likely make a bigger leakier leak.

When it is done on land it is only done to put out the burning geyser. Sort of like blowing out a candle. Then they can put a cap on it.

I’d imagine it would be an option if it were possible to reduce the damage that way. The fact that it’s not being proposed suggests that the experts don’t think it will work.

@Snarp, I thought that at first but then I wondered if perhaps they figured they (oil company) would lose a lot more money if it makes the site unusable in the future. You know in todays economy, the all mighty dollar comes first.
@ChazMaz I always thought the drills to make a hole going to the oil was usually narrow and has to go really deep under the surface. Unless its near the surface I would think a huge explosion should cause enough ground to shift and close it off. Of course I’m only guessing. I’m no engineer or explosive expert.

According to what I was reading in a discussion on Peak Oil today,oil companies are having to go into much more complicated situations such as the depth of the sea here to extract oil, it seems to be new territory. Maybe weve reached the limits where we can drill?

what was the quy’s name that was famous for putting out the geyser! Harry Adair? One of John Wayne’s better movie was about this subject.

Anyway, answering the question, think Chaz “hit the geyser on the head!”

Oh my gosh, would ever think that the gas companies would use this to increase prices….naw…

@BoBo1946 NAHHHH! They wouldn’t dream of it! :P

why can’t they install some kind of valve/tap further down the pipe that will relieve the pressure of the oil coming out in a controlled way, whilst fixing the broken part. when that’s done close the valve and return to normal?

Yea @BoBo1946 , I always think of that movie. :-) One of my favorites.

The safety valve that should have shut off the oil flow did not work. Why we are having the problem we currently having.
If they cut the pipe below where the leak is, to put a shut off valve on. It would cause a massive amount of oil to come out. There is A LOT of pressure. Apparently more then if the do what they are currently going to do. Which is drill another hole. Intersect with the current hole. Reliving the pressure, then enabling them to cap the old hole.

The problem with an oil leak under water instead of above ground is. Above ground it will just pool up. Under water it will spread VERY quickly. As it currently is.

@ChazMaz and this weather that is coming this weekend…hate to think how bad it will become. The wind here…i live Northcentral Mississippi…. is in the 30 plus range this morning.

@mammal I read somewhere that they were thinking of tapping in somewhere else along the line but it would take 3 months. Thats a long time. The biggest problem according to the news is that it broke off under water a few thousand feet down. Last pics I saw 2 days ago they said it was 16 miles from shore.