US Official Says 'Significant Progress' Made in Stopping Oil Leak

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"The U.S. official in charge of the federal response to the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico says BP has made "significant progress" in efforts to stem the flow of crude from a damaged underwater well.

Retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said on NBC's "Today" show Monday that BP's work could result in the final shutdown of the well, which has been spewing oil since an explosion on a drilling rig killed 11 people in April.

BP says it is making progress installing a new containment cap that could allow ships on the surface to capture virtually all the leaking oil. Company officials expect the new containment system will take four to seven days to install.

The oil company said Monday the leak has already cost it about $3.5 billion. It said the company has paid more than 52,000 damage claims to individuals and businesses, totaling almost $165 million."

more


BP Starts Test Today on Stopping Leak From Gulf Well

<snip>

"BP Plc may stop the flow of crude from its leaking Gulf of Mexico well, source of the biggest oil spill in U.S. history, beginning with a pressure test today.

BP plans to bolt a 40-foot (12-meter) stack of valves atop the well today and stop the flow for 48 hours as a test, Doug Suttles, chief operating officer for exploration and production, told reporters today on a conference call. If the plan works, the valves will keep oil from leaking until the well can be plugged with cement next month, he said. Should the test fail, BP will resume piping oil to ships on the surface."

<snip>

"The new cap contains three large valves, or rams, like those used in blowout preventers, which oil and gas drillers use to halt unexpected surges in pressure, Salvin said. The Macondo well’s blowout preventer failed, BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells told a presidential commission investigating the disaster.

The well can be shut if it withstands the expected pressure once the valves on the new cap are closed, Suttles said. Pressure lower than expected would suggest leakage in the well bore, indicating BP should continue to let oil flow to ships on the surface for processing, he said. BP and Obama administration officials will make that decision, he said.

Underwater robots are bolting in place a transitional fitting that was placed atop the well overnight, Suttles said. BP’s “confidence is growing” that it can control the well because installing the fitting gave engineers the “most concern” before starting the job, he said."

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2010-07-12/bp-starts-test-today-on-stopping-leak-from-gulf-well.html

[Ganja Ninja]

1. "indicating BP should continue to let oil flow to ships on the surface for processing"

Something tells me they won't be trying to shut down this well even when they get the relief well finished. :argh:

[slackmaster]

3. Anything that stops oil and gas from spewing into the water is a win

:hi:

[Ganja Ninja]

4. Yeah but what if it doesn't stop it?

What if we have only 500 barrels a day flowing into the gulf along with the dispersant's necessary to cover it up? This is my fear that they'll make up an excuse to keep this well open to keep producing from it rather than shutting it down completely and permanently.

[slackmaster]

7. They'll stop it.

Stop being such a negative Nellie.

[slackmaster]

12. Looks like the gusher is stopped, at least for now.

This is the best possible news under the circumstances. Nobody can go back and undo the past. We can all learn from it and try to avoid making the same mistakes in the future, but there is no point in wallowing in misery over things that can't be changed.

[Statistical]

9. Nobody is going to keep this well open.

It is a bleeding artery to BP balance sheet.
It is a never ended PR nightmare for the company.
It is a continually accuring penalty shitstorm; $4300 per barrel forever with no limits until it is capped.

The idea that BP will keep this monster open just to siphon up a couple thousand barrels of oil is silly.

The right they are using to do the siphoning is worth MORE than the oil. Think about that for a second. It would be like going to work everyday to collect a $1000 monthly paycheck and then pay $5000 a month in transportation costs.

Note I didn't include any of the ecological damage, lost lives, and long term death to the Gulf. Just keeping it simple in dollars and sense from the BP (capitalist) viewpoint. BP wants this well closed. Look at Exxon, look at Toyota when you get bad shit like this the only thing that helps it time, and every day the well is open it is puking oozing, sore that won't heal.

[ixion]

2. Got'em on the run... turning the corner

blah blah blah.

[Poll_Blind]

5. "Pressure lower than expected" I'm not sure they have an accurate measure of what's "expected".

Let's hope they err on the safe side. This time.

PB

[damntexdem]

6. And the methane leaks?

Just wondering.

[Statistical]

10. the methane (natural gas) is In the oil.

There isn't a separate oil and natural gas. It is a gusher of both combined.

[joeybee12]

8. And after everything we've been "told" before, I'm supposed to believe this...

Why?

:shrug:

[Octafish]

11. Great! Let's go sailing!