BP has followed up on their previous infographic about the intricacies of drilling a relief well near the existing spill with a new graphic showing how the “Riser Insertion Tube” is expected to work.

This system was designed to minimize the formation of gas hydrates at 5,000 feet below the surface. Gas hydrates – similar to ice crystals – thwarted an earlier attempt to divert the flow of oil through a larger subsea containment dome.

The riser insertion tube will also have methanol injection to prevent the formation of gas hydrates in the ultra-deepwaters. The MMS and the Unified Area Command have approved use of methanol injections in this system.

In addition, the new riser will be heated with sea water to promote the flow of oil from the ocean floor to the drillship above. This is a commonly used practice in ultra-deepwater production because the temperatures at these water depths tend to stymie the flow of oil.

Click the image above for fullsize.

via Riser Insertion Tube Tool | Gulf of Mexico response | BP.