"Top Kill": The "New" BP Leak Stop Solution that Just May Work...

[NYC_SKP]

From the "Oil & Gas Journal"



Note: A 4000 x 2253 pixel image here: http://tinyurl.com/2fzshk4

May 16, 2010
Paula Dittrick
Senior Staff Writer

HOUSTON, May 16

BP plans to kill flow in 7-10 days

Kent Wells, BP senior vice-president of exploration and production, said BP’s first priority remains to kill the flow from the well. An effort to pump kill mud into the wellhead through choke and kill lines on the existing blowout preventer will be attempted in 7-10 days, Wells told reporters on May 16.

He also clarified that a “junk shot” in which various items will be pumped inside the BOP might or might not be done. Wells said the first plan is to try to stop the flow using kill mud followed by cement to seal the well.

“We can pump mud faster than the well can flow,” Wells said, adding the mud will go through the choke and kill lines.

A control pod was retrieved from the BOP and was brought to the surface where it’s being reconfigured to ensure that BP can electronically control a series of valves in the choke and kill lines while it pumps mud into the well.

Wells said 50,000 bbl of kill mud will be available, but that he doubts that much will be needed.
Contact Paula Dittrick at [e-mail]

http://www.ogj.com/index/article-display/2867244755/articles/oil-gas-journal/general-interest-2/2010/05/100516-pd-bpspill-riserworking.html

The graphic indicates that the existing BOP can be used to pump kill mud, then cement, to seal the well head.

Why they didn't try this in the first place is beyond me.

7-10 days.