James Cameron likely has better oil spill ideas than BP anyway

June 2, 2010 by Bill Palmer

Director extraordinaire James Cameron has been invited to consult on ideas for putting a stop to the BP oil spill that BP has itself thus far been unable to put a dent in, according to various reports. And while the move initially sounds like the kind of plot twist which could only come from one of Cameron’s scripts, it’s reasonable to believe at this point that the movie mogul is it least as likely to have valid ideas on the topic as BP does, as the latter’s attempts to remedy its own disaster have shown the corporation to be what would be described as comically inept if only there were anything humorous about the situation. In fact, with Cameron having been the driving force behind technical marvels such as Avatar and Titanic, there’s at least evidence that he’s had some ideas over the years, whereas it’s now clear that no one amongst BP’s executives has ever had an idea in their lifetimes that didn’t consist purely of dollar signs and perhaps devil’s pitchforks. If any of James Cameron’s ideas actually turn out to work, he’ll be in line for a much bigger award than another Oscar; even if his ideas fail as badly as those that have come from BP itself, well at least he didn’t cause the thing.

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Filed Under: blog
Tagged: Avatar, BP, James Cameron, oil spill, Titanic

About Bill Palmer

Bill Palmer is Editor in Chief of Beatweek Magazine. His editorial contributions include interviews with musicians and iPhone industry coverage.

Comments

Paul Maertens

My idea is that we should insert into the ground through the opening of the pipe a catheter-like tube at the end of which is a baloon that once in place can be inflated with heavy mud. The pipe can them be permanently sealed with concrete or glue…
Jason Speck

My idea is that we could pump coagulants into the well in the attempt to create a plug the would slow or eliminate the leak. I am not familiar with the limitations of coagulants at that depth, so an alternative could be to pump fresh water into the well intentionally forming an ice plug like the one that foiled a previous cap attempt. We need everybody on this one, NASA, James Cameron, Joe the plumber, this cannot leak until August.
Scott Wilson

The Japanese scientists that helped with the akashi bridge made a “super cement” that can harden in water why cant they just drop a vary large(50' or so) pipe on top of the leaking pipe and fill it with this cement? And if the oil cant be over come by the weight of the cement then just make a top hat like before but this time F trying to save the oil just close the valve at the top of the top hat…..
Scott Wilson

Vary good idea!!!!
They can use the balloons that they make for lifting heavy junk. I think some can lift over 30 tons.
I dont see why that cant work….

Good thinking bro
Aaron Shackelford

Why the heck dont they just pump the oil out rather then spend all this time trying to plug it?
Greg Barbian

To protect the environment and beaches i think the fastest and most effective action to take is to place as many devices between the oil leak and the beaches. Mainly boats with pumps to remove the crude oil from the ocean.
Greg Barbian

addendum to my previous post. even if we have to use large enternainment vessels.
THE MAN

I say we go to bp headquarters and KICK SOME OIL GIANT ASS!
Popeyesm2

I’m not sure where to start. I have had this idea knocking around in my head for over a week now. I don’t know if anyone has thought of it, because it’s kind of simple and I’m not sure how to get anyone to listen or who to contact. I had thought of it after they tried to pump mud into the hole, which might have worked but not with the volume of the oil flow coming out. Anyway here it is.

Create cylinders out of lead (size, weight and number would have to be determined by you). I think before anything can be done you have to slow the flow down. The lead cylinders should have some vertical relief holes for the first ones going in, which should restrict the flow of oil but not stop it. Once the flow has slowed down enough, start adding solid lead cylinders (With no relief holes) on top of the other ones in the hole. When the flow has stopped or slowed down enough then pump hydraulic cement into the hole hopefully plugging it forever.
As far as cylinder size I think they should be as close to the size of the hole as you can get and still lower them in. The longer and heavier they are the better off you will be. (Need to overcome the flow coming out)
pmag

My structual engineer father ( retired ) came up with this idea: Four to six – long, robust steel “Earth Spikes ” once inserted into the ocean floor (he knows how they work he invented them awhike ago ) and placed around the leakTHEY WILL NOT MOVE.Then (with cables attached to the spikes ) a large umbrella like device “oil catcher” attached to the cables which traps the up shooting oil that goes from the catcher & into a pipe and on to the surface. The oil leaks own pressure is what propels the oil upwards and you won't have to worry about leaking out the sides because the umbrella device is suspended over the leak and secured to the ocean floor. he needs to be contacted peter magadini (c) copyright 2010 pmag@iscweb.com
LIam Mccartney

my name is liam i am a dumbass