Deepwater Horizon: BP updates status for May 28

Offshore staff

LONDON – Top kill operations continue at the Deepwater Horizon spill site in the Gulf of Mexico, says BP. It is estimated that the process could go on for another one to two days. If successful, cementing would follow.

In the interim, BP is preparing to deploy the lower marine riser package (LMRP) cap containment system in the event the top kill process does not stop the flow. This deployment would involve removing the damaged riser to give the LMRP a clean-cut pipe to connect to and seal against. The tool already is on the seabed alongside the BOP.

Another parallel plan being moved forward in case it is needed is the addition of a second BOP to land atop the damaged one.

Surface containment and collection and shoreline protection efforts also are on-going. BP says there are 1,300 vessel involved along with 360 mi of containment boom and 237 mi of absorbent boom.

05/28/2010