overlooking the obvious.

As we posters have been pontification on the cause of the current problems at Habenero # 3 and the solution we have overlooked the most obvious problem facing those there -

HOW DO YOU GET ACCESS TO THE DRILL PIPE TO DO ANYTHING?

Remember that the well is configured for the Demonstration Generation plant. The pressure in the pipe is 350 atmospheres (enough to support a 3.5Km high water column) and the temperature is about 250 deg. They cannot just unbolt the pipe - they will first have to turn the flow off.

The well head has a valve to do this. Where is it?

In the well cellar. But this is where there is a high temperature, high pressure water steam flow that is the root of the problem. "Catch 22".

There is a need to put a plug down the well to stop the flow - but how do they get access to the well to do this.

Any suggestions.

RB