BP to kill leaking Gulf well with drilling mud

30 July 2010 17:14  [Source: ICIS news]

HOUSTON (ICIS)--BP will try to seal its leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico on Tuesday using a so-called static-kill operation in which heaving drilling mud would be pumped directly into the well to attempt sealing it, the company said on Friday.

BP's static-kill operation was on schedule, according to earlier statements made by the US Coast Guard.

The static kill operation would be in addition to the cap that BP put on top of the well, which had, so far, plugged the leak. BP sealed the cap with the well on 15 July.

However, there were concerns that the cap could cause an oil leak somewhere else on the sea floor.

Meanwhile, BP may complete its relief well by the end of August, which should permanently plug the leak.

Prior to the cap’s closure, US officials said oil was leaking at a rate of 35,000-60,000 bbl/day as a result of the 20 April explosion of the BP-operated Deepwater Horizon offshore rig.

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By: Al Greenwood
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