Methane-Trapping Ice May Have Triggered Gulf Spill

sciencehabit writes with an excerpt from Science that begins: "Methane-trapping ice of the kind that has frustrated the first attempt to contain oil gushing offshore of Louisiana may have been a root cause of the blowout that started the spill in the first place, according to [UC Berkeley] professor Robert Bea, who has extensive access to BP p.l.c. documents on the incident. If methane hydrates are eventually implicated, the US oil and gas industry would have to tread even more lightly as it pushes farther and farther offshore in search of energy."

Re:Farther offshore?

[T Murphy]

Sharks, which tend to stay relatively close to shore, eat the hydrates to power their lasers. This has caused the hydrates to be in relatively low concentration in shallower areas.

Re:Farther offshore?

[MichaelSmith]

Whats needed is a fully submersible drilling platform. Fortunately Ed Harris is still available.

Re:probably a bit ignorant here

[maxume]

Step 1: Use your diesel tractor to plow a field and plant some hay.

Re:Spill baby spill!

[binarylarry]

....need more vespene gas?