A
AALARD
Guest
Crews return to damaged well
VENICE, La., Crews were set to resume work on the damaged Gulf of Mexico oil well, U.S. officials said, amid reports BP would replace Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward.
Efforts to seal the well permanently were called off temporarily last week as a tropical storm moved toward the vicinity and many of the vessels associated with the project were ordered to relocate. National Incident Commander Thad Allen said Monday he expects the initial step of a so-called static kill will be executed next week, CNN reported.
The static kill technique involves filling the well with mud and cement. If it is successful, the next step would be seal the well permanently through a relief well -- a process that could be undertaken as early as Aug. 7.
The well -- damaged in an April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon drill rig, sending tens of millions of gallons of crude pouring into the gulf -- has been capped since July 15.
BP said Monday the status of its top management was still up in the air despite media reports Hayward was on his way out. In a statement on its Web site, the British oil producer said it had noted what it called "press speculation" about potential management changes and the charge of costs from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Company spokesman David Nicholas said any management change would be announced when BP announces its quarterly earnings, scheduled for 2 a.m. EDT Tuesday, CNN reported.
VENICE, La., Crews were set to resume work on the damaged Gulf of Mexico oil well, U.S. officials said, amid reports BP would replace Chief Executive Officer Tony Hayward.
Efforts to seal the well permanently were called off temporarily last week as a tropical storm moved toward the vicinity and many of the vessels associated with the project were ordered to relocate. National Incident Commander Thad Allen said Monday he expects the initial step of a so-called static kill will be executed next week, CNN reported.
The static kill technique involves filling the well with mud and cement. If it is successful, the next step would be seal the well permanently through a relief well -- a process that could be undertaken as early as Aug. 7.
The well -- damaged in an April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers on the Deepwater Horizon drill rig, sending tens of millions of gallons of crude pouring into the gulf -- has been capped since July 15.
BP said Monday the status of its top management was still up in the air despite media reports Hayward was on his way out. In a statement on its Web site, the British oil producer said it had noted what it called "press speculation" about potential management changes and the charge of costs from the Gulf of Mexico oil spill.
Company spokesman David Nicholas said any management change would be announced when BP announces its quarterly earnings, scheduled for 2 a.m. EDT Tuesday, CNN reported.
