BP claimed today that it has successfully plugged the ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well, for now at least, using a “static kill” technique.
The procedure, which involves pumping heavy mud into the top of the capped well, began last night. It was stopped this morning after the operation went to plan.
BP said the breakthrough was a “significant milestone”, but cautioned that more mud may still have to be pumped into the well.
It issued a statement saying that “the desired outcome” of the operation had been achieved as the well had “reached a static condition”.
The plugged well is being monitored to ensure it remains static, BP said. “Further pumping of mud may or may not be required depending on results observed during monitoring”, it said.
If the plug holds BP will start pumping cement into the well.
The operation is being conducted in tandem with the drilling of relief wells, which BP says is still the “ultimate solution to kill” the well. The first relief well is on course to intercept the well by the middle of this month, but drilling was halted during the static kill operation.
The US government says the well leaked 4.9 million barrels of oil before being capped last month, making it the worst environment disaster in US history.
The Deepwater Horizon well exploded in April killing 11 oil workers.
Originally reported by the Guardian. Read the original article here.