Kent Wells, BP's vice president announced today that Admiral Thad Allen has approved the well remaining shut in despite the oncoming tropical storm. He explained that because integrity testing has gone well, and because there has been a steady climb in pressure, currently 6863 psi, they are confident that even if monitoring ceases for a short period the wellbore is showing enough integrity to continue.
ROV Monitoring by boat?
A small boating craft that has better maneuverability will be equipped with an ROV to monitor the well's integrity for as long as possible in the event of a storm. Admiral Allen and BP feel confident about this plan of action because a smaller boat would also be the first vessel to return to the site of the Macondo well to resume observation.
Relief well delays a 10 to12 days
Disconnecting the DD3 and DD2 relief wells, which are the actual property of Transocean and leased by BP means that delays to intercept the Macondo well will be 10 to 12 days. Storm preparations have already cost all involved 2 days and most vessels have been ordered out of the gulf.
Helix Producer and Q4000 to disconnect due to Bonnie
Admiral Allen gave the order this evening that BP must also disengage the Helix and Q4000 immediately since the storm has now threatened crew safety and they have to fully disconnect the two massive skimmers. If Bonnie had taken a different route and disconnection was not necessary, BP would have only required an additional four days to get back on track from its impending storm preparations.
Nevertheless, static kill has been greenlighted
"Good news!" says Bethany Liscomb, who owns beachfront property in Panama City Beach. "I have been watching this so closely. Thank goodness Admiral Allen approved it. Now let's just hope this cap holds up during Bonnie."
No more oil in the gulf!
Even with a pending tropical storm, it seems there is to be no more oil spilling into the gulf. Local Panama City Beach residents and businesses are still bracing for possible oil spill contamination from the millions of gallons of oil swimming in the gulf that Tropical Storm Bonnie could bring to our shores. Keeping your informed 24/7. www.examiner.com.
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