Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE)

hydrate plug removed from pipeline

In a recent conversation, Colin Leach suggested an interesting plugging option for the Macondo well – hydrates.   Why not take advantage of nature and induce hydrate formation to plug the well?  We know that hydrates are difficult to prevent when methane mixes with water under the pressure conditions at Macondo.  Why not pump cold water down the choke line where it will mix with methane in the stack to form hydrates and plug the well?  To optimize the hydrate formation, methane could be injected down the kill line.

Hydrates would definitely form.  Chances are good that natural forces would form a solid hydrate plug that would prevent further flow from the well.  The only risk would be that the hydrates would form too slowly (unlikely given the experience with the seafloor containment chamber) or that they wouldn’t completely plug the well.    The presence of a hydrate plug would also require additional caution when the well is finally re-entered (after the relief well has secured the downhole flowpaths).   The best time to attempt the hydrate option would seem to be right now, after the more conventional BOP intervention attempts and before cutting the riser to install the cap.