Leak forces new delay to BP oil cap test

This still image from a live BP video feed shows the beginning of a crucial test on Wednesday that could allow the leaking Gulf of Mexico oil well to be sealed once and for all

Oil giant BP detected a leak yesterday in equipment to seal the catastrophic Gulf of Mexico gusher, forcing another delay to the start of crucial tests on a new tighter-fitting cap.
After finally getting the green light to begin pressure tests, BP said it would have to postpone the procedure for a second time to repair a leak in a so-called choke line, which leads off from a system of blowout preventers being used in the operation.
“In preparation for commencement of the well integrity test, the middle ram has been closed and a leak has been detected in the choke line of the three-ram stack,” BP said in a statement on its website.
“It has been isolated and will be repaired prior to starting the test.”
A blowout preventer is a large device with a series of valves, also referred to as rams, which are placed at the top of a well that can be closed for safety reasons during drilling.
The blowout preventer used in the damaged BP well contains elements of three types of valve, two of which are capable of sealing pipes of various diameter while a third seals the wellbore itself.
It was not immediately clear for how long the leak would delay the tests but it represents another blow to the marathon efforts to put an end to what is already the worst environmental disaster in United States’ history.
The Gulf disaster has cost BP some 3.5 billion dollars (2.78 billion euros) and compensation could mean it ends up forking out 10 times that figure.
BP shares were at 400.45 pence in early London trading yesterday, down 0.14 percent.
The new delay added to the agony for Gulf residents whose livelihoods depend on the oil being stopped and the huge surface mess being cleared up.
Once the valves on the cap are closed, no oil will be streaming into the Gulf for the first time since the Deepwater Horizon rig in April.
Drilling on a relief well that is now only four feet (1.2 meters) away from the leaking well will be suspended when the integrity test starts.
Even if the well is found to be secure and the cap is left on, the relief well will be drilled to completion so the oil reservoir can be permanently plugged with cement in a “kill” operation expected in mid-August.