My Solution to the Gulf of Mexico Oil Well Problem

Just as with many of you, I have been observing the fiasco surrounding the Gulf of Mexico Oil Well disaster with a combination of disgust, disappointment, frustration, anger and plain dis-belief for the past month and a half as the companies (and government) involved have lurched from one desperate - but perhaps not whole-hearted - attempt after another to control the ongoing leak. There are days when I just think to myself that they simply aren't trying hard enough to stop crude oil spouting into the open sea in order to ensure that they can re-start revenue generating operations as soon as possible.

So, having considered the problem for a number of days I am now ready to share with you my simple solution to the problem. Simple because of how obvious it is to me. And simple, also, because it is based around some items that most of us would find in our own homes - albeit that we would need substantially larger versions of them.

First, you need a Funnel.

Second, you need some Concrete Bricks


Third, you need some Rubber Hose. Probably quite a bit of it as the gusher is 5000 ft below the surface.

To assemble this contraption you simply invert the funnel so the wide part is at the bottom, tie it to the concrete bricks and attach the hose to the spout that is now pointing up. Then, you slowly lower it over the top of the gushing oil pipe, allow for a little bit of pressure to build up and then begin to pump the oil up through the pipe; being careful to maintain the pressure and flow sufficiently that oil doesn't start to leak from around the bottom edges of the funnel. I'll happily draw a picture of the assembled design if you can't visualize it - and/or if the Government, BP or other Contractors involved in fixing the problem need it - but it should be pretty self explanatory.

I accept that this is not a permanent solution but I have to believe that it will buy some time for the more permanent solutions - the parallel drilling that is currently taking place but which won't be completed until August - and help prevent further catastrophic damage to the delicate eco-system in the area.

I offer this solution not for personal gain or glory but as a bid to end my (and others) frustration at the failure of the experts to solve a problem that was eminently preventable in the first place. If anyone knows people in the Administration, BP or related companies, feel free to point them to UlloaSullivan.com.