Offshore staff
HOUSTON – Well control action at Main Pass 295 in the Gulf of Mexico is complete and has stopped a kick, reports Apache.
The bottom of the well was plugged and cemented, and the migration of natural gas to another sand formation (which was occurring approximately 1,100 ft beneath the seafloor) has stopped.
No injuries or negative impact to the environment occurred. Apache currently is evaluating next steps for the well.
On Feb. 5, during drilling operations onEnsco 87 rig, Apache took a kick from an abnormally pressured gas zone. The well was shut in, and the blowout preventers functioned properly. Apache called well control experts from Boots and Coots to kill the well.
Diagnostic procedures indicated an underground migration from the bottom of the well (8,261 ft) to another sand formation at approximately 1,100 ft. At that time, under the direction of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement, Apache began preparing to move the RowanCecil Provine rig to the location in the event it became necessary to drill a relief well.
All non-essential personnel were evacuated from the rig, and the safety and equipment procedures worked as designed and tested, said Apache.
3/01/2013
