Was the Deepwater Horizon Well Discharge Churn Flow? Implications on the Estimation of the Oil Discharge and Droplet Size Distribution

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

3-16-2018

Abstract

Improved understanding of the character of an uncontrolled pipeline flow is critical for the estimation of the oil discharge and droplet size distribution both essential for evaluating oil spill impact. Measured oil and gas properties at the wellhead of the Macondo255 and detailed numerical modeling suggested that the flow within the pipe could have been “churn,” whereby oil and gas tumble violently within the pipe and is different from the bubbly flow commonly assumed for that release. The churn flow would have produced 5 times the energy loss in the pipe compared to bubbly flow, and its plume would have entrained 35% more water than that of the bubbly flow. Both findings suggest that the oil discharge in Deepwater Horizon could have been overestimated, by up to 200%. The resulting oil droplet size distribution of churn flow is likely smaller than that of bubbly flow.

Identifier

85043400371 (Scopus)

Publication Title

Geophysical Research Letters

External Full Text Location

https://doi.org/10.1002/2017GL076606

e-ISSN

19448007

ISSN

00948276

First Page

2396

Last Page

2403

Issue

5

Volume

45

Fund Ref

Fisheries and Oceans Canada

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