Thread:Comments:Gulf of Mexico oil spill expanding; submarines to try to stop leak/Drill Baby Drill/reply (4)

It is amazing Transocean, owning 140 operational rigs worldwide, utilizes no preventive technology for this scenario. I remember there was safety system for natural gas lines in the home that would drop a ball bearing into the pipe during an earthquake. This would block the gas, limiting the risk of explosion or fire. Is it not as simple as this? How about a large depleted uranium rod/stopper that drops down the line if certain shear or torsion tolerances are surpassed. A locking mechanism may be required, a more stable metal or even an activation button but you get the idea.