BP Oil Well Capped – (for now)

On Thursday, July 15, BP’s on-going efforts to reduce or stop the oil well discharge into the Gulf of Mexico waters was finally accomplished… at least for now. BP has not been releasing information to the public in a timely manner, so we do not have ‘real-time’ details as to what is taking place 5000 feet below the surface. Pressure testing is taking place as far as we can tell and BP is also looking carefully at sonar and sub floor data to make certain that there are no failures of the original well casing or drilling path.

BP has said that their ultimate goal is to shut off the well entirely with a relief well procedure sometime within the next month or so, but they will also be attaching up to 4 flexible connections to the legacy blowout protector as well as the new cap stack that was installed a week ago. Those flexible lines will go to the surface for the time being to process oil from the well at an anticipated flow rate of 53,000 barrels of crude per day. This will not only supply oil for refining, but will lower the pressures in the old well system to reduce the possibility of more leaks.

As of this morning, July 16, there is no additional oil being leaked into the Gulf waters. We certainly hope and pray that it remains this way and everything that has been announced by BP and Government official works out as planned.

Cleanup efforts along the Gulf beaches in 5 states are continuing. Please monitor your local media for updates and information on cleanup progress and other official details.