[BITList] From rigzone

[FS]

The three ram capping stack was installed on the Deep Water Horizon LMRP 
at 7 p.m. CDT on July 12. The stack completes the installation of the 
new sealing cap.

Following installation of the capping stack and in line with the 
procedure approved by the National Incident Commander and Unified Area 
Command, the well integrity test will begin July 13 on the MC252 well.

For the duration of the test, which will be a minimum of 6 hours and 
could extend up to 48 hours, the three ram capping stack will be closed 
and all sub-sea containment systems (namely, the Q4000 and Helix 
Producer) will be temporarily suspended, effectively shutting in the 
well. It is expected, although cannot be assured, that no oil will be 
released to the ocean for the duration of the test. This will not 
however be an indication that flow from the wellbore has been 
permanently stopped.

Information gathered during the test will be reviewed with the relevant 
government agencies including the federal science team to determine the 
way forward. Options include reinstatement of containment as well as 
extending the test duration beyond 48 hours.

The sealing cap system never before has been deployed at these depths or 
under these conditions, and its efficiency and ability to contain the 
oil and gas cannot be assured.

The Helix Producer containment system started operations on July 12. The 
Q4000 containment system continues to capture oil and gas from the MC252 
well and flare the hydrocarbons safely at the surface.

Relief well operations continue throughout this period and remain the 
sole means to permanently seal and isolate the well