In light of the Top Kill procedure failing, and with data gained from the previous capping attempt, BP now is preparing a smaller capping called the Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP). The general synopsis is that after the previous attempt BP feels it has enough data to try a modified version of that project. The cause of the previous failure was an unexpected amount of methane clathrate crystals increasing the buoyancy of the cap. These crystals form when methane is dissolved in water at high pressures. Theoretically the LMRP will avoid this by pumping a combination of warm seawater and methanol into the cap as it is lowered and positioned. Another round of trying to plug the well with drilling mud will also help reduce the flow momentarily while the cap is positioned.

This procedure also requires cutting the damaged pipe to get a clean seal. There is concern that this will dramatically increase the rate of the leak, by approximately 20%. Should this attempt fail, there will be no method to reduce the flow to current levels.

Ultimately the only possible solution will be the completion of relief wells. A somewhat odd term for the uninitiated, these relief wells do not relieve pressure in the leaking well by removing fluid, rather they provide access to the leaking well for heavy drilling mud to be deposited to force the oil down and provide access then to seal the leaking opening.