By OGJ editors
HOUSTON, Aug. 13 -- BP PLC completed pressure testing on its deepwater Macondo well to determine if cement entered the annulus during the static kill.
On Aug. 13, BP and federal scientists evaluated the results, National Incident Commander and retired US Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said.
Allen said there was a possibility the static kill might have accomplished a bottom kill or a partial bottom kill, but the pressure test was needed to try and confirm that. The pressure test results will help determine BP’s next steps regarding the relief well.
Following passage of a tropical depression, BP also prepared to resume drilling the first of two relief wells.
The pressure test was intended to help BP determine whether the annulus is connected to the reservoir. During an Aug. 5 static kill procedure, BP pumped heavy drilling mud and then cement into the casing from the top of the well (OGJ, Aug. 9, 2010, p. 27).
During the Aug. 12 pressure test, BP took the pressure on the capping stack down from about 4,200 psi to around 2,500-3,000 psi and monitored the pressure for 4 hr for any changes.
The capping stack was installed on July 15, enabling the static kill.
US Government Accountability Office.
