On Day 87 of the BP oil disaster, no oil is flowing into the gulf. Currently, “Well Integrity Test” is being performed, following the placement of a tighter containment cap over the leaking well three days ago. But there is no cause for celebration yet, as it would take up to 48 hours to determine the integrity of the test.
Asked on Thursday for his reaction to the progress made in capping the leaking well with the tighter containment cap, President Obama expressed caution, saying that, “It is a positive sign. We are still in the testing phase.” Obama added that he “will have more to say tomorrow.”
National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen too, was cautious. He issued the following statement on Thursday:
“We’re encouraged by this development, but this isn’t over. Over the next several hours we will continue to collect data and work with the federal science team to analyze this information and perform additional seismic mapping runs in the hopes of gaining a better understanding on the condition of the well bore and options for temporary shut in of the well during a hurricane. It remains likely that we will return to the containment process using this new stacking cap connected to the risers to attempt to collect up to 80,000 barrels of oil per day until the relief well is completed.”
BP also was cautious regarding the integrity of the well tests, which is currently underway.
Some experts have speculated that the well bore is not in good shape and that closing down the leaking well with the new containment cap builds up additional pressure which could rupture the well bore on the ocean floor.
So, it could well be that there is a return to the containment process to collect oil flowing from the leaking well, until the permanent solution of the relief well is in place. Thad Allen seems to hint at this in his statement.
It is anticipated that the leaking well could finally be plugged by mid-to late August.
