Relative to the situation in the Gulf of Mexico, what about using a type of clenching device, attachable to any existing underwater hydraulic technology, to squeeze shut the spilling pipe that leads off from the oil field? Any sediment or any other impediments around the protruding end of the pipe could be removed by an underwater suction device to be able to reach to it. Once the end of the pipe is squeezed shut it could be more properly capped seeing as the outlet pressure has been minimised if any leakage still exists. A suitable clenching device can be made to order on the day.