Oil spill recovery: Pressure tests continue on BP containment cap (videos, poll)
Though the oil has stopped flowing from the underwater well, pressure tests on the BP containment cap are expected to continue for another 48 hours. Today marks 88 days from the catastrophic April 20, 2010 Deepwater Horizon explosion and the nation is finally relieved that the oil has been contained. However, as testing continues officials advise the nation to reserve caution.
The tests include increasing the pressure that the well holds per square inch to determine how much the well can hold. The goal is to reach the 8,000 per square inch mark without losing the integrity of the well. The well has been tested at 6,700psi and has remained leak free. The pressure tests are conducted every 6 hours. If the pressure drops that would be indicative of a leak.
Additional testing includes seismic readings to ensure that there is no oil leaks outside of the well. If the well can withstand pressure up to 8,000 psi, BP officials may consider a variety of options to keep the oil contained before the permanent relief wells are ready in August.
The current success of the containment cap has come just in time as the Gulf of Mexico is in the midst of hurricane season. There is great fear of the mixture of the oil spill and a hurricane. Should the well integrity tests prove the well can withstand pressure, officials could work on making the well hurricane proof before the relief wells are completed.
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