BP‘s relief well and bottom-kill procedures aimed at permanently sealing the ruptured Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico are suspended until the company completes an analysis of possible new leaks.
BP said the National Incident Commander has requested further analysis to mitigate possible risks of a bottom-kill procedure.
While BP pumps are in more mud and cement for the final plug, it is feared that new leaks may form, releasing the 1,000 barrels of oil left in the well.
BP was also asked to provide a plan for pressure tests and analysis to assess the stability of the well during the removal of the existing blowout preventer and replacement of a new one.
National Incident Commander Thad Allen said once BP submits its plan, it may receive permission to finish drilling the relief well and begin pumping mud, reports Bloomberg.
BP expects the relief well drilling to take four days.
