The world needs a new source of energy, an unspillable source.

How is the “Top Kill” going to allow a concrete plug to seal the leak?

Question by Matt: How is the “Top Kill” going to allow a concrete plug to seal the leak?
My understanding of the “Top Kill” solution to the oil leak is that the drilling mud that is being pumped into the blow off preventer prevents the oil from leaking out just by pushing it down. Then a concrete plug can seal the hole.

They say that if it works, we should see mud instead of oil leaking out of the blow off preventer. If that’s the case, since the pressure is the same (or actually a little higher) than the oil pressure was, how does that make it easier to put a concrete plug into the blow off preventer? Won’t the problem be the same as it is now?

Best answer:

Answer by Mother Hubbard
It buys time. More spill, no retaliation. No action. It’s working.

Add your own answer in the comments!