New cap to try to seal well
Petroleum giant BP has started a new process to attempt to stem the destructive oil flow from a well in the Gulf of Mexico. A new cap has been placed over the well – which has been leaking since April 20 – in an attempt to seal the leakage.
Ananova.com reports that BP has placed the new cap over the well to test whether it will stem the flow of oil. The procedure was revealed on live pictures from an underwater camera and broadcast on BP’s website, and then on networks around the world. They show the device, known as the “Top Hat 10”, hovering and then lowering over the well. The valve has been designed to be a much tighter fit than its predecessor, so as to completely contain the oil. Once in place, BP plans to perform an “integrity test” lasting between six and 48 hours. The US government and BP are due to decide by Thursday whether the valve can stay in place to seal the well shut.
The operation to try to stem the flow and clean up any environmental damage got under way after the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank on April 20 and oil began spewing into the ocean. BP has warned that success in the latest efforts to stem the flow of oil is not guaranteed, and told the Guardian newspaper: “It is expected, although cannot be assured, that no oil will be released to the ocean for the duration of the test. This will not, however, be an indication that flow from the wellbore has been permanently stopped.”
The new cap is capable of collecting more than 50 000 barrels a day and its designers say it is resilient to the hurricane season. It’s roughly estimated that from 35 000 to 60 000 barrels of oil are gushing from the well each day.