Deepwater Horizon well control operations

Captains,

Well control operations following the MODU Deepwater Horizon accident have been compared to NASA's Apollo 13 accident operations. Leading engineers from BP and throughout the industry assembled in Houston for the unprecedented task of mitigating the outflow and ultimately stopping the flow from the well head which is a mile below the surface of the sea. Coast Guard Marine Safety Center and Minerals Management Service engineers are overseeing these activities. Marine professionals working above the well head are constantly exposed to the volatile organic compounds rising from the well as they maneuver remotely operated vehicles and specially designed tools to contain the outflow and seal off the well.

A riser insertion tool was installed at the open end of the 1500' long riser pipe yesterday and is currently working to bring some of the outflow to ships on the surface. A top-kill operation to stop the outflow at the well head itself will be tried next. In the mean time sub-surface dispersants are being applied with remotely operated vehicles to help reduce the amount of oil and volatile organic compounds from rising to the work area above the well.

RADM W