The IXTOC-1 well, mentioned above by Amos and myself, was drilling only 11,800 feet below the seafloor, and the water was shallower than in the present blowout. It still took 9 months and two relief rigs to finally stop the flow.

Drilling into new, unknown horizons will always present blowout danger.

There are sufficient reserves world wide that such dangerous drilling should not be necessary.