A pipe patch can be built and deployed quickly the patch will never stop all the leaking oil but it may stop enough to allow the hydraulic mud to accumulate this drawing is simplistic but it does show the elements.

Jeff Nettekoven
Neenah, WI
jnettekoven@new.rr.com
920-751-3895

containment dome, steel, brass, lead ,rubber.
No additional equipment should be needed on site.
an engineer to study the fluid dynamics and to evaluate if this device would conform to the damaged pipe.

THIS POSSIBLE SOLUTION WOULD BE TO STOP THE OIL LEAK. Build a platform with 4 legs that would sink into the ocean floor for stability. It would look similar to a giant end table. On the bottom of the platform would be a a cone that could be inserted into the broken pipe. The cone would be similar in shape to the sharpened end of a pencil. It would be made of brass, lead, or steel etc. It could end up with straight edges, have o rings attached or whatever engineers feel would seal the best. On the top of this table would be enough weight, lead etc to hold the table in place and overcome the pressure of the oil and conform the cone for a good seal. If the pipe were cut to a clean edge this table could possibly just have a flat bottom with an appropriate metal or rubber seal. I am not exactly sure of how damaged the pipe is as the picture is not real clear, which is why the pipe may have to be cut. This device could be tested on the surface using water or a fluid or oil with similar pressure. It also may be possible to install the cone or flat bottom in the containment dome that has already been built. I hope this may help, I am not an engineer but feel this or a similar idea may stop the leak, especially if the pipe had a clean edge. Also if the pipe is bent or crushed a steel or hardened steel cone may conform it back to round with enough pressure and seal the leak. Thank you for your time, I hope this may help.

Idea for containment of oil spill: (Operation ROVPDC) or (Remote Operational Vehicle Probe & Drogue Containment):

If it were possible to retro-fit an (ROV) using the same principle ideas of that used in the refueling of jets by a device known as the (Probe & Drogue Fuel System). Thus containing or re-directing the flow of leaking oil too bide time. Think of the (ROV) as if it was a jet needing fuel but instead it would be sucking the leaked oil back up into a containment unit on board the ship using the (Probe & Drogue Fuel System). Hence think of the leak from the riser as the fueling jet and the (ROV) as the other jet and the ship above now becomes the containment area. There is only one problem that needs to be re-solved how to fit the (PDFuel system onto the riser opening. If memory serves me well I believe that the (Probe & Drogue System) has a vacuum like docking mechanism or umbrella type floater cup that once connected clamps into place using automated suction and of course some manual controller interaction as well. But on the other end meaning the riser this could be a problem because it will not have the other part of this particular system attached to its opening but this is something I am sure could be remedied by skill full engineering. Now if this device can handle fuel pumping at high speeds and high altitudes then why not use it for deep underwater problems such as this. I believe with this idea it would allow the time needed to drill and cap off the other (BOP) which would take about 2-3 months and can be achieved with less risk and a more precise outcome. This would reduce the risk factors of creating a possible bigger problem if something were to go wrong and would at best stop the huge flow of oil that is presently leaking. The ROV would have to be anchored down to keep it in place perhaps to a part of the original (BOP) or ocean floor and a very flexible long boom tubing would have to be fitted onto the (ROV) attached off the side of the original (Probe & Drogue Fuel System) thus extending back up to the ship. I have looked and studied the area of concern and understand there are problems that can be quite dangerous while working at such depths. But I strongly believe this idea if implemented precisely could work. The tools are already available they just need to be engineered and constructed too meet this type of application. This idea of cutting and trying to recap the riser opening I feel is too risky and if it were too fail you could end up with a much larger problem on your hands and 3 months of this kind of new opening would be unimaginable too how much damage has already been caused. The idea too keep in mind at this point in time is not to try and stop the leak but more over contain it until you can safely drill and cap off the other (BOP) in 2-3 months. This is in my opinion the best course of action at this late time and is a much more effective and safer way to solve this matter and possibly avert a far more damaging scenario in the long run. If this plan were implemented and worked as mentioned it could be a possible fallback in preventing or at best being able to deal with any future incidents such as this.

Thank you

From a free thinker and amateur inventor on how to make use of pre-existing applications:
Carmen Veglia May 30, 2010