Operations are now underway to replace the Deepwater Horizon (DWH) drilling rig’s failed blow-out preventer (BOP) with the DDII drilling rig’s BOP in order to allow operations to complete the relief well to resume, according to the company.
The capping stack on top of the DWH BOP was removed by the drillship Discoverer Enterprise on 2 September.
Following the removal of the capping stack, the Q4000 support vessel will connect a riser to the DWH BOP as part of ongoing operations to remove the BOP from the well.
The DDII drilling rig will then be expected to move its BOP into place and the DDIII drilling rig is on standby in readiness to resume drilling the relief well.
The well is at a measured depth of 17,909ft and progressing to intersect with the MC252 well will involve drilling, alternating with ranging runs to confirm proximity to the well.
The company said that mid-September is the current estimate of the most likely date by which the relief well will intercept the MC252 well annulus, depending upon the weather conditions.
