Not to trivialize the subject, but the oil only looks like it is leaking into the Ocean. Fact is, there is much pressure in offshore drilling due to the massive force the water is placing on the ocean floor. We use mud in the pipes while drilling to “Cap†or create a “Lid†to keep the oil from blasting thru the pipe when we hit a formation.
This is also the reason the oil looks like it is just leaking, the 5000 feet of water is actually keeping it from being worse.
The deeper the ocean, the greater the pressure, and the “Mud†must be denser (heavier) to compensate for the massive pressure.
This is a very simplified explanation and basic concept of normal drilling.
I have been out of the industry for too long and cannot speak for today’s drilling techniques, but I bet these still apply to most Gulf rigs.
I have not read the entire story and do not understand the Root cause of this accident, but there are many things that could occur during the drilling process. We may never really know the exact cause if the powers to be, cover any aspect of the Blow Out.
Just 2,
Bubba