The well was shut off on July 15, and encased in cement in early August. There were concerns that pressure might built and cause a worse rupture before the relief well was drilled. The Development Driller II (DD2) was attached to the well to diagnose its condition.
Development Driller III (DD3) started on the relief well at 1:40 p.m. CDT on Monday. When it reaches the MC252 well, heavy mud and cement will be pumped into the annular space around the well. Annular space is the cylindrical space around another cylinder, such as a pipe around a pipe. According to BP, once that step is done, the well will be completely sealed off and safe from any further spills.
The new name of BP and the government’s joint information website is “Restore the Gulf.” Though drilling the relief well is a major milestone, there is much more to be done.
A tough crowd in Houma Terrebonne Civic Center in Louisiana questioned the administrator of the $20 billion fund BP set up for victims. Ken Feinberg, who also handled funds for victims of the Sept. 11 attacks, faced groans and curses from about 300 people affected by the spill, reported WGNO ABC26 News in New Orleans.
The audience criticized Feinberg over slow payments. Some were offended by the requirement that wages they earned for helping with the oil spill cleanup should be deducted from BP’s compensation. AP reported that Feinberg said that may change.
