Have been trying to catch up with this thread for the last couple of days since getting to the rig. Some fairly intense discussion going on!
Anyway, I’ve been talking with the Subsea squad out here on this job (all experienced hands) and the consensus is that there is almost no chance of even a poorly-maintained BOP failing as comprehensively as the Horizon’s seems to have done. All speculation, obviously, but everyone’s money is on something more than just drill-pipe across the shears (tool joint? casing?). Failure of EDS put down to the fact that the MUX cables destroyed in initial explosion/fire. Failure of AMF (dead-man) put down to hydraulic conduit lines still intact, therefore pressure still present and therefore conditions for dead-man function not met.
So nothing that hasn’t been discussed here at length. But I’m in a good position right now to pick some brains, so if you guys/gals have questions relating to Cameron BOPs and controls, fire away and I’ll do my best to get the info.