The weather is going to be quiet for 7 to 10 days, so BP (at the direction of the Obama Administration) is going forward with their next plan – to removing the existing containment cap and cutting off the couple feet of riser still attached – back to the flange at the top of the BOP. By doing that, they can get a complete tight seal on the BOP, which might completely stop the spill flow.
If you think that BP might still be trying to convert this into a producing well, what they are doing is consistent with that. Once the well is no longer spewing, people’s attention will go elsewhere. They might just then connect the well to the existing underwater pipeline system and be done with it…. or the second relief well might be converted instead to a replacement bore into the same field.
The standalone riser that can be left in place if the ships have to flee from a hurricane is in place and will be hooked up to the new containment cap. The other ship now on the scene can handle a larger rate of oil flow.
Once the new flow is stopped, then the cleanup can really start in earnest.
Unless the well bore itself has been damaged, or the BOP is damaged when the full pressure of the well is contained.
