So what is the latest update on the "top kill"? so much conjecture floating around

[Javaman]

I don't know what is what.

[tridim]

1. Too much conjecture IMO

There was a tweeting independent engineer yesterday who was providing good info, but he was shut down by BP with one phone call.

[havocmom]

6. and no teabaggers screeching about how that violates engineer's 'free speech'

Amazing, isn't it? ;)

[BeFree]

2. Best news?

It's gonna take some time.

What is great is that Obama sent Chu, along with some hand-picked govt. experts, into the discussion with BP.

I wish I knew when he made that move. Anyone know? It did seem to prod BP into using the BOP.

[Webster Green]

3. It doesn't seem to be working.

Informed commentary here:

http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6520

[Skink]

4. BP told everyone to enjoy the holiday and they'd get back to us.

[kestrel91316]

5. Your first clue: the BP oil spill live cam is NOT pointed at the leak.

[havocmom]

7. oh shit

:cry:

[Javaman]

8. well, that isn't good.

the old, "we fixed it, now look over here!".

[kestrel91316]

9. Ha ha! We all know if they HAD fixed it, the live feed of the boring pipe with

no oil coming out anymore would be ALL OVER every single news outlet on the planet.

[gratuitous]

10. I understand it's a complicated, time-consuming procedure

Which means it doesn't lend itself to the standard American mindset that sees problems solved quickly, efficiently, neatly, and completely. Or just nuke it. Apparently, there are stages to this process, and the first stage has been attempted, and most indications are that it was adequate to the task. They'll proceed to the next step, and if their surmise is correct, the situation will improve some more.

What I haven't heard is what BP plans to do should this process go off the tracks and fail, or make the situation worse, which I also understand is a possibility.

[Webster Green]

12. "most indications are that it was adequate to the task"

Links?

That's not what these guys are saying: http://www.theoildrum.com/node/6520

[gratuitous]

13. Well, they're proceeding to the next step

So I presume that they're satisfied with what's gone on so far. There's no guarantee that BP is telling the truth, or even that they're operating in good faith. But I tend to believe - and darn my conscience - that BP wouldn't have completely screwed up the first step and then bull-headedly forged ahead just to save whatever face they think they have left.

But I was wrong once before, so I suppose it could happen again.

[tekisui]

14. They aren't really proceeding to the next step.

They are trying to maintain while they prepare a junk shot. Not the next step. The next attempt after top kill failed.

[Webster Green]

16. They've been doing the junk shot.

It seems the ROVs are preparing for another procedure, perhaps cutting the damaged riser from the top of the BOP and attaching something else there.

[Webster Green]

15. "no guarantee that BP is telling the truth"

Bingo!

Did you go to the link? Those guys do this stuff for a living.

They are really doubtful that this top kill is going to work. The mud is just flowing out into the sea.

[FarCenter]

11. I always thought that the junk shot would go like grass through a goose

[BeFree]

17. Another expert weighs in, eh?

What would we do without all this expertise?