BP officials report that once a tropical storm system in the Gulf of Mexico passes, it will resume drilling the final portion of the relief well

摘要

BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells said Tuesday during a briefing that the company will begin pressure tests as soon as the storm passes. He said that the pressure tests will seek to determine the condition of the well's annulus -- the space between the liner of the well and the rock surrounding it. Wells said that in these tests, technicians will first reduce the pressure in the capping stack sitting from 4,200 psi to between 2,500 psi and 3,000 psi. He added that if the pressure readings rise, it could mean there is some flow still leaking up the well. He said information from the tests will help determine if the annulus is still connected to the reservoir. Retired US Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said the drilling may be delayed by as much as two to three days, which means it could be Sunday through Tuesday before work restarts on the relief well.