BP said Tuesday that is had commenced injectivity testing in advance of static kill operations. Based on the results of the injectivity test, the company said pumping of drilling mud for the static kill could commence later on Tuesday, following which a decision on the best way to cement the well will be determined.
The company said that all operations are being carried out with the guidance and approval of the National Incident Commander, Thad Allen. The aim of these procedures is to assist with the strategy to kill and isolate the well, and will complement the upcoming relief well operation.
The relief well remains the ultimate solution to kill and permanently cement the well. The first relief well, which started May 2, has set its final 9 7/8-inch casing. Operations on the relief wells are suspended during static kill operations. Depending upon weather conditions, mid-August is the current estimate of the most likely date by which the first relief well will intercept the Macondo well annulus, and kill and cement operations commenced.
Wednesday morning update
BP announced today that the MC252 well appears to have reached a static condition – a significant milestone. The well pressure is now being controlled by the hydrostatic pressure of the drilling mud, which is the desired outcome of the static kill procedure carried out Tuesday.
Pumping of heavy drilling mud into the well from vessels on the surface began at 2100 BST on August 3, 2010 and was stopped after about eight hours of pumping. The well is now being monitored, per the agreed procedure, to ensure it remains static. BP said that further pumping of mud may or may not be required depending on results observed during monitoring.
