Instaling Sea Horizon1/14/2024 ![]() " will help determine whether or not it is possible to shut the well for a period of time, such as during a hurricane or bad weather, between now and when the relief wells are complete," he added.Īllen said the tests could continue for more than two days if necessary, but that the government would stop "if the risks of doing further damage to the surrounding formation are significant". The new cap, it is hoped, will be able to siphon the entire flow for collection on the surface.įormer US coastguard Admiral Thad Allen, who is overseeing the US government response, said measurements during the test would provide valuable information about the condition of the well below sea-level. Estimates put this at between 35,000-60,000 barrels a day. It replaces a previous cap, fitted last month, which managed to contain only about half the escaping oil. The developments may mark a turning point in efforts to stop the flow until more permanent measures, including the drilling of two relief wells, can be completed by the middle of next month.īP said this was the first time a sealing system of this type had been deployed at such depths or under such conditions. The tests on the internal pressure in the well will take between six and 48 hours to establish whether the flow has been stopped or leaks remain elsewhere. Work on installing the cap using robots a mile below the surface of the sea was successfully completed last night as efforts intensified to capture all the oil that has spilled out since the explosion that killed 11 people on 20 April. "This will not, however, be an indication that flow from the wellbore has been permanently stopped." "It is expected, though cannot be assured, that no oil will be released to the ocean for the duration of the test," BP said.
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