The MC252 well has been shut-in since 15 July and cementing operations in August, following the static kill, provided an effective cement plug in the well’s casing.
BP chief executive Tony Hayward said that this is a significant milestone in the response to the Deepwater Horizon tragedy and is the final step in a complex and unprecedented subsea operation – finally confirming that this well no longer presents a threat to the Gulf of Mexico.
The relief well drilled by the DDIII rig intercepted the annulus of the MC252 well on 15 September, followed by pumping of cement into the annulus on 17 September.
BP will now proceed to complete the abandonment of the MC252 well, which includes removing portions of the casing and setting cement plugs.
A similar plugging and abandonment of both relief wells will occur as well, the company said.
