Setback - BP had to halt its ambitious effort to plug its stricken oil well in the Gulf of Mexico

[1776Forever]

Setback Delays ‘Top Kill’ Effort to Seal Leaking Oil Well in Gulf

By CLIFFORD KRAUSS, JOHN M. BRODER and LIZ ROBBINS
Published: May 27, 2010

HOUSTON — BP had to halt its ambitious effort to plug its stricken oil well in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday afternoon when engineers saw that too much of the drilling fluid they were injecting into the well was escaping along with the leaking crude oil.....

The technician, who spoke on condition of anonymity because he was not authorized to brief reporters, said the problem was not seen as serious. “We’re still quite optimistic,” he said, but cautioned: “It is not assured and its not a done deal yet. All of this will require some time.”

The news of yet another delay in capping the well came on a day of rapid-fire developments from Louisiana to Washington.

(More at link)

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/28/us/28spill.html?src=me

[tekisui]

1. The mud that has been injected is enough to keep the oil

and gas in the well, correct? At least for a period of time while they re-assess.

[1776Forever]

2. Yes, the article says this on that concern:

"Still, there were indications Thursday morning that the heavy fluid, called mud, was slowly building up within the well bore, as engineers hoped it would when they began pumping it from surface ships through pipes on the sea floor."