[redshift]

Pressure is the problem. Not sure the exact depth, but it's around 5000 feet. The pressure at that depth is over 2200 psi.

I don't know what effect an arc would have on combustible sludge, even without air oxygen present. Also the shape of the severed tube is not one you could just slip another pipe over, there are extraneous fittings, tubes, etc. I'm sure there are other logistical problems they are dealing with that don't get media discussion as well.

This is why wellheads are supposed to have the acoustic switch/ blowout preventers that DICK Cheney helped the industry bypass, this should have never happened.