BP (NYSE:BP) Ordered by Officials To Finish Relief Well

There has been much speculation, concern, and curiosity as to whether BP (NYSE:BP) is going to finish their relief well. Now it seems they don't have a choice, U.S. Officials have demanded the company finish it.

The reasoning of this order, was the failure of pressure testing that was done on the well. The tests failed to prove that there is no risk of oil leaking in the future, according to BP's Thad Allen, National Incident Commander. What is being determined now is how to proceed. The original plan, to pump cement and mud into the bottom of the well is now under scrutiny and may be abandoned all together.

The concern is that if the cement/mud mixture is injected into the bottom, there is a substantial risk that it could cause the seal to break and force oil out of the top. "How thick the cement barrier is between the annulus and the reservoir, we just don't know." said Allen "It might be very thin, and we go and put pressure on that and we have a problem."

The problem is a result of Allen's decision for BP to plug the well with cement from the top. According to some petroleum engineers, the better way would have been to leave the mud in place on top of the well and pump the cement in from the bottom. Rather then follow the mud with the cement on top like they did.

A retired petroleum engineer, Les Ply said "It would have been easier and safer to kill the well with the relief well. When it is cemented from the bottom, you can be assured the well is dead."