Pressure rising in cap at BP's undersea well, a positive sign
CNN Wire Staff
[cnn-photo-caption image=http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/16/gulf.oil.disaster/t1larg.oil.cap.bp.jpg caption="Rising pressure is indication of no damage to well" width=300 height=169]
Pressure was rising Friday as BP continued testing its breached Gulf of Mexico well with no evidence so far that other leaks exist, said BP's Senior Vice President Kent Wells.
Wells said pressure was up to 6,700 psi (pounds per square inch) inside the well's capping stack. BP was looking for an optimal 8,000 psi, which would indicate that no oil was being forced out through a leak and that the well was undamaged and able to withstand the pressure of the cap.
The "well integrity test" began Thursday after two days of delays, first as government scientists scrutinized testing procedures and then as BP replaced a leaking piece of equipment known as a choke line.
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Filed under: Gulf Oil Spill • T1 |
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The pressure expected 8,000 psi is a guess as is the historic flow 35-60K BPD, and is why physical checks by ROV's take place on the ocean floor.
The riser pipe to ships capacity of 80K BPD is simply common sense. You just want to open the valves and collect the oil and send it off for refining. You do not want to be constantly adjusting valves.
For me the sooner The riser pipes are put into operation the better as that removes the risk of damaging well integrity beneath the ocean floor and can in the end significantly aid the Relief well activity in early August.
The valves can be close again in case a hurricane comes.
Regards,
Hodgson.
I could not find the live chat tonight. I just want to say that it is great news regarding no leaks today!
Best news so far ! Let's pray the best is yet to come for ALL
affected.It's been tough for them to live through and hard
for the rest of us to watch.The blame game and negativity
will not help them at all.
Why is the amount collected different than the amount that was leaking?
If BP must reopen the new Top Cap Choke Line valve to relieve pressure, it should immediately switch the oil capture hose from the BOP Choke Line to the Top Cap Choke Line so it doesn't release oil into the ocean again.
Government inspectors? Is Obama going to control our every thought and action? Wait a minute! I got to go to the bathroom and do #2; do I need his opinion on that also???????