"Dean Hoffman" wrote in message here about a
plan that was in place: http://tinyurl.com/24z6auq

I guess the engineers did finally get a smaller pipe inserted into the
drill pipe to get some/most of the oil. I wonder if they have some sort
of expander on it to seal up between the two pipes.

Oh, yeah, like an expandable plug. The thing my SIL's company (toxic waste
disposal/containment) suggested to BP about 5 hours after the spill. They
have one, offered it, no reply. Typical.