This afternoon, Admiral Thad Allen, National Incident Commander for Deepwater Horizon Response, announced the successful removal of the beleaguered blowout preventer that failed on the Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico:
"Under the direction of the federal science team and U.S. government engineers, BP has lifted the damaged Blow Out Preventer (BOP) from its position atop the cemented Macondo 252 well. We will continue to closely monitor progress as the BOP, which along with the latching device weighs approximately one million pounds, is lifted to the surface in the next 24-36 hours. This procedure was undertaken in accordance with specific conditions I set forth last week in a directive authorizing the capping stack removal, which was completed yesterday, and BOP replacement. BP will continue to follow these required conditions during the lifting of the damaged BOP and as the device is replaced. I will continue to provide updates as necessary."
On Aug. 27 Admiral Allen directed BP CEO Bob Dudley to stop the 'fishing expedition' on the well and proceed with removal of the BOP. Today's news comes on the heels of yesterday's announcement by Allen about the capping stack removal.
For further updates continue reading here and see the Deepwater Horizon Response web site.
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