BTW, the North-Sea gas-leak still belches methane with the same fury, this will surely affect the climate of 2012, and will get worse for years to come. The gas-fields in the Nort-Sea are to some extent interconnected by the geological scif-platelet-layers, and this leak can possibly be venting potentially for decades. Most probably for many decades actually. We would be better off lighting it up as soon as possible. Having a bright torch in the middle of the ocean might be an unnatural phenomenon, but will be better than massive amounts of unprocessed methane going straight to the atmosphere.
With a pressure between 600 and 1100 bar and temperature around 200 degrees celcius, at 5000 meters depth, indicates a massive, really huge reservoir, that is not going to ease off venting anytime soon, the enormous pressure and temperature would naturally force a bigger leak as it is allowed to progress. When there is an initial way for the gas to escape, materials in the drill-hole will blast an even bigger way out of the deep, so more gas can escape as it progresses to erode.
The amount Total themselves estimate is leaking out is 200 000 cubic metres of gas per day, that is $150 Million worth of gas per day. In reality, that estimate probably is well on the conservative side.

The French group said that it had advanced its two-pronged plan to stem the leak, located 150 miles east of Aberdeen in Scotland, where it is estimated that 200,000 cubic metres of gas is escaping per day.
— snip —
Total estimated that the leak had cost it $1.5m a day in lost production earnings, as well as response costs of around $1m a day. This could rise to $1.5m a day when the drilling commences, Total said.

This comes to a economical Total loss of $3M/day + any fine for environmental damage.

Posted by: Alexander | Apr 5 2012 21:48 utc | 104

uncle be well friend you are a friend & a great resource abientôt

Posted by: remembereringgiap | Apr 6 2012 1:25 utc | 106