BP Spuds Second Relief Well

BP has begun drilling the second relief well to intercept and isolate the wellbore of the leaking Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico.

The company announced that the GSF Development Driller II semisub initiated the relief well Sunday, approximately two weeks after the GSF Development Driller III spudded the first relief well. BP is drilling the relief wells to intercept the original wellbore above the oil reservoir at approximately 16,000 feet. Once the wells reach their intended target, the plan is to pump heavy fluid into the well to stop the flow of oil from the reservoir. Next, cement will be pumped down to permanently seal the well.

The second well is intended to serve as a backup should BP encounter problems reaching the target with the first. BP anticipates that it will take approximately three months to complete each well from the commencement of drilling.