What failed sawing-off the petroleum pipe?

[Externet]

On the gulf petroleum leak disaster, they did not use the wire saw; they went with a circular saw instead, I think...

 

The collapsing half cut pipe bite the saw? As cutting a tree branch from the underside ? Is that what happened ?

[cypress]

Yes, that is what happened.

[Externet]

Some 10 year old kid in charge of that operation could have done better

[insane_alien]

5000 ft under water is not exactly the ideal place to be sawing things in case you hadn't noticed.

[cypress]

They had a crane on the surface with a line to support it but they misjudged angular torque and the pipe jammed the saw. Another unfortunate event in a much larger unfortunate episode.