A total of 25,290 barrels were recovered on June 17, 2010 at MC252 well. The 16,020 barrels were collected with LMRP cap and 9,270 barrels were collected via Choke line of failed blowout preventer. The amount of 9,270 barrels of oil collected via choke line is substantially higher than an earlier estimate of 5,000 throughput capacity. ROV live feeds are not broadcasted via BP.com at the moment and it is not clear how much is still leaking into the Gulf of Mexico.
LMRP Cap containment system collects consistently about 15,500 barrels of oil each day; the remaining leaks into the Gulf. It is not clear how much is currently leaking into the Gulf of Mexico. It seems that 15,500 barrels per day is close to riser’s maximum throughput capacity.
BP plans to divert some oil and gas flow through Blowout Preventer’s “Choke” line starting in mid June (5,000 – 10,000 barrels throughput capacity). Pending outcome of the Choke line oil collection, diverting flow through Kill line is also considered (5,000 – 10,000 barrels throughput capacity). Replacement of current riser with floating one is scheduled for July 1. Floating riser throughput is estimated at 20,000 barrels per day.
The first planned addition, to operate in addition to the LMRP cap system, will take oil and gas from the choke line of the failed Deepwater Horizon blow-out preventer (BOP) through a separate riser to the Q4000 vessel on the surface. Both the oil and gas captured by this additional system are expected to be flared through a specialised clean-burning system. This system is intended to increase the amount of oil and gas that can be captured from the well and is currently anticipated to begin operations in the next few days.
Preparations are also underway for more permanent and flexible containment system employing a floating riser. A manifold has been deployed on the seabed and a suction pile to anchor a riser has been installed. It is currently anticipated that this system will be available to begin first operations around the end of June/early July. A floating riser is designed to replace current riser from Enterprise Drillship.
Sources:
Kent Wells’ Video Technical Briefing: http://bp.concerts.com/gom/kentwellstechnicalupdate061010a.htm
BP briefing: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7062886
and www.bp.com/gulfofmexicoresponse
BP: LMRP cap collected 11,100 barrels in 24 hours; remaining oil is still spilled into the Gulf. BP will provide rate of collection every 12 hours starting June 7.
Currently preparing two backup setups, to be introduced in mid June (choke and kill lines suction) and end of June (submerged riser)
BP briefing: Kent Wells presentation slides: http://tinyurl.com/Kent-Wells-June7
BP briefing: Kent Wells conference audio: http://bp.concerts.com/gom/audio/kentwells_technical_07062010.htm
WSJ.com: BP Cap Collects 10,500 Barrels a Day, but a lot of oil is still spilling into the Gulf of Mexico. The estimate of spilling 19,000 a day is very likely, based on the amount of oil still escaping. BP is attempting to determine how many out of 4 valves to close on top of the cap. Valves were set on top of the cap to minimize initial pressure. One valve is reported to be closed already. BP is adjusting remaining three valves to maximize amount of oil collected. BP says closing all valves will render system “unstable”.
See attached video snap shots of escaping oil.
Original Source: http://on.wsj.com/9GlXNS
A cap placed on top of BOP above the leaking well was funneling some oil and gas to a surface ship, though oil continued to escape from under the bottom of cap and through four open vents on top of the device. Methanol is being pumped into the cap to prevent the formation of icy hydrates that could plug the mile-long pipe rising from the cap. Engineers hope to capture more oil by progressively closing the cap vents in coming days.
Source: http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2010/05/25/us/20100525-topkill-diagram.html
Summary: LMRP cap collected 6,077 barrels of oil during Friday, June 4, 2010, but a large amount of oil is still escaping. Enterprise Drillship has the procedure in place to “flare out” all natural gas coming up the pipe.
BP’s update as of June 5, 2010 9:00am CDT
• The LMRP cap was placed on top of failed BOP at MC252 well at approximately 8:35 pm CDT on June 3.
• Gas first reached the Discoverer Enterprise at approximately 11:00 pm CDT on June 3; oil followed at approximately 11:10 pm CDT.
• On June 4, a total of 6,077 barrels of oil was collected and 15.7 million standard cubic feet of natural gas was flared.
• Optimization continues and improvement in oil collection is expected over the next several days.
The live shots of video feeds (below) indicate that a large quantity of oil is still leaking into the Gulf. It also indicates a lot more than BP’s estimate of 5,000 barrel a day were leaking into the Gulf of Mexico.
Video: BP’s LMRP Cap Procedure Details (June 3, 2010)
Video file source: http://bp.concerts.com/gom/lmrp6_060310.htm
Below is a snapshot from video presentation showing LMRP cap containment system functions:
Video Update Source: http://bp.concerts.com/gom/kentwellstechupdatelong053110.htm
Update Summary:
- Collapsed riser cutting is underway
- LMRP cap is scheduled for connection the Week of May 31 (temporary solution)
- Choke and Kills lines will be connected to a second LMRP to divert some of oil & gas flow (scheduled for second half of June 2010)
- BP is preparing a floating subsurface riser for hurricane emergency shut off (long term solution)
- Relief wells’ drilling is in progress, will be completed in August.
BP Releases Details of Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap Procedure
Source: http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9033657&contentId=7062491
Installing a Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP) Cap is a containment option for collecting the flow of oil from the MC252 well. The LMRP is the top half of the blow out preventer (BOP) stack.
The installation procedure first involves removing the damaged riser from the top of the BOP.
A remote operated hydraulic shear will be used to make two initial cuts and then that section will be removed by crane. A diamond wire saw will then be placed to cut the pipe close to the LMRP and the final damaged piece of riser will be removed.
The LMRP Cap is designed to seal on top of the riser stub. The seal will decrease the potential of inflow of seawater as well as improve the efficiency of oil recovery. Lines carrying methanol also are connected to the device to help stop hydrate formation.
The device will be connected to a riser extending from the Discoverer Enterprise drillship.
The LMRP Cap is on site, and it is anticipated that this option would be available for deployment by the end of May.
Schematic of LMRP Cap procedure is outlined on drawings below.
There is too much pressure coming from the well. I suggest pushing either a stream of heavy drilling fluid through choke and kill lines (Scenario A) or a stream of methanol (Scenario B).
In the first scenario the heavy drilling fluid can reach up to 10% penetration into the well, as we saw on Friday May 28, and will reduce gases and oil from coming out of BOP opening set for LMRP cap connection. This is a preferable method because it decreases risks of gas “kicks” and reduces chances of gas explosion on Enterprise Drillship when they start “receiving” mix of mud & oil at the surface. The drillship should be ready to siphon mud & oil mixture out of LMRP cap upon cap connection to BOP pipe opening. It is likely BP needs to continue pumping mud into choke and kill lines to minimize impact of gas “kicks” and to have a better control over well’s pressure.
In the second scenario a stream of Methanol through choke and kill lines will dilute gases and oil coming out of the well and prevent them from forming icy slush upon contact with cold ocean water (hydrates, clathrates) and will increase chances of successful connection of LMRP cap to BOP opening. The problem with this method is Enterprise Drillship will need to prepare for possible gas “kicks”. Using mud is a preferable option as it allows for better control over well’s pressure.
A stream of methanol from LMRP cap will decrease icy slush, but likely is not sufficient to combat large amounts of gas from MC252 well. This well is prone to gas kicks. As Kent Wells said it has more gas than BP originally thought.
