"The final question in this whole killing of the well has been the condition of the annulus"
Press Briefing by National Incident Commander Thad Allen, September 15, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. EDT:
Transcript Excerpts
Thad Allen (Drake Toulouse)
So we're sort of concerned with the annulus and the actual actions taken will be depending on the condition of the annulus when the intercepts made. The first indication we will get with that will be any change of pressure in the drilling fluids or the strum in that drill bit when the interception is made. At that point, I think there will be a characterization made of the annulus itself and a decision made on how to proceed at that point.
I can't predict what will happen because as we said the final question in this whole killing of the well has been the condition of the annulus. I don't think we think there will be any blockage here I think we think we're going to need to pump cement but that will not be verified until we actually do the intercept. ...
The steps after the well intercept will be to ascertain the condition of the annulus. As you know we do not know what the condition of the annulus is whether or not there are hydrocarbons in it, communication with the reservoir and so forth. Today will give us a lot of information especially when we get close and finally conduct the intercept looking at the changes in pressure of the drilling mud that's going in and out.
That will be something that we're monitoring very closely. And we will give you update throughout the day. I have been notifying and updating the senior leadership in Washington as we move forward.
“THE REAL DOOMSDAY SCENARIO” is a compromised FORMATION and uncontrolled flow to seafloor: (VIDEO)
To Gulf Oil Spill on Saturday, August 21, 2010 8:08
http://beforeitsnews.com/story/146/277/THE_REAL_DOOMSDAY_SCENARIO_is_a_compromised_FORMATION_and_uncontrolled_flow_to_seafloor:_VIDEO.html
Don't like the pic of him with his arms flared up in the air as in OMG ! : (
When they do the intercept and if there is oil present, couldn't they pump it out first, then replace with cement ?
I believe there are matters being withheld from the general public; otherwise, this well would have been completely killed weeks ago.
Does this have anything to do with the new oil washing up in LA ? Red colored with no corexit?
Whats really going on one mile below the surface ?
As someone with absolutely not a shred of expertise in all this, I have had a feeling in my gut for a while now that they are scared sh****tless to finish the relief well do to pressure. They already abandoned the one. I suspect all that drilling mud and cement that they were pumping during the static kill was also sent into the formation. Perhaps it even temporarily sealed some of the formation- who knows? As I said, I really don't have any expertise other than what I have heard and observed from reading The Oil Drum, which I don't read anymore, btw. But a well doesn't magically heal itself, not with mud, cement or any amount of hocus pocus or wishful thinking. I hope it works. I really do. But as I said, the well didn't magically heal itself.
Most of the cameras are off under there; they give the impression that the show is over....
Is it really?
As someone with absolutely not a shred of expertise in all this, I have had a feeling in my gut for a while now that they are scared sh****tless to finish the relief well do to pressure.
Maryanne, I agree with you completely.