BP Oil Spill Update: Static Kill, Seepage, Small Leaks and Relief Wells

(July 20) -- As we enter the third month of the BP oil spill, reports from BP and Incident Commander Thad Allen seem for the first time -- dare we say it -- positive (or at least not entirely disquieting). Still, there remain some questions about just how well the various operations are proceeding underwater. To answer them, Surge Desk rounds up the latest news on the status of the containment effort.

1. What's the status of the seepage?
The seep that scientists found near the well on Sunday is naturally-occurring, BP says.

2. What's this "static kill" or "bullhead kill" they keep mentioning?
BP is considering a "static kill," also known as a "bullhead kill," on the well. That solution would look like the doomed "top kill" that was attempted in May – heavy drilling mud would be pumped into the top of the well to push oil back into the reservoir and then the well would be sealed off with cement. BP thinks the static kill will work where the top kill did not because the heavy new cap on the well head has stemmed the flow of oil and gas, which was too strong in May to complete the top kill. Now that the flow is in check, the pressure on the cap is much lower and a static kill could work.

3. Is the oil flow still stopped?
Yes, or at least just about. When the new cap, Top Hat 10, was put in place on Thursday and its valves were shut, oil stopped flowing into the gulf for the first time since the debacle began. On Sunday night scientists detected small leaks of oil and gas coming from the cap. But Incident Commander Thad Allen said the leaks were not "consequential."

4. How close are the relief wells?
As of yesterday evening, the first relief well was four feet from the Macondo well and BP was drilling the well hole larger. Tomorrow, BP plans on beginning to put the cement and well casing in place and run tests on the well. The first well is expected to intersect with the Macondo well at the end of July, according to BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells.

The live feed of the well is below.

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