re: Containment Dome status???

This is just a WAG, but I would have to say absolutely. The things is flowing out a hundred thousand or more gallons a day against sea water pressure, which is over 2000 psi at that depth. So I am pretty sure this well will push that column of oil from seabed to sea level, which is only five thousand feet. There may even be a pressure assist from the seawater pressure.

But you make a very good point. This is probably why they worked so hard to seal off that other leak in the riser (to increase the pressure in the dome). It is also probably one of the reason they are pumping that surface seawater down to keep the tubing warm because warm oil will flow a whole lot better than cold oil.