If Top Kill Works, What Happens to the Two Relief Wells?

I ask this because, if you look at BP's latest progress graphic:

http://www.deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/565355/

both "relief" wells have yet to turn significantly toward the intersection point. Both are exactly at what seems to be a decision point:

1.) Turn and head to the intersection point

2.) Continue straight down to the reservoir

I find it interesting that BP waited until the relief wells are exactly at this point before Top Kill was tried. Coincidence? :shrug:

On Edit:

My suspicion is this:

1.) If Top Kill works, the two wells will continue to be billed as "relief wells" that will relieve pressure by pumping oil from the reservoir. Note: I doubt that BP could have obtained permission to tap this reservoir any other way.

2.) If Top Kill fails, the plan depicted by the graphic will continue and the well will be plugged when one or both of the relief wells find the intersection point.

Then they'll have to drill two more. Rinse and repeat indefinitely.

seems well thought out to me. I don't understand the process but anything they do, I think is going to benefit them.

1.) If Top Kill works, the two wells will continue to be billed as "relief wells" that will relieve pressure by pumping oil from the reservoir. Note: I doubt that BP could have obtained permission to tap this reservoir any other way.

2.) If Top Kill fails, the plan depicted by the graphic will continue and the well will be plugged when one or both of the relief wells find the intersection point.

My guess is that they continue the relief wells to the intersection point. The top kill and junk shot seal the well at the wellhead, while the relief wells divert the flow from the shaft much closer to the resevoir. They'd then be able to fill the drill shaft all the way down to that intersection point with cement, providing a much more secure seal than the cap given by the top kill / junk shot.

Pure speculation, of course.

Sid

Edit: clarified wording

they expect to be able to pump in enough mud to fill the drill shaft completely.

Sid

A top kill is a temporary procedure that must be supported by the relief wells.

At best, the top kill will hold only on a temporary basis. The relief wells are required to relieve the pressure on the blow out.

by intersecting the original well and pumping cement?

The new well, in 5,000 feet of water, is planned to intercept the existing well around 13,000 feet below the seabed and permanently seal it. The new drill site is about half a mile on the seabed from the leaking well in Mississippi Canyon block 252, and drilling is estimated to take some three months.

http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=2012968&contentId=7061778

Myself, I'll watch what they do, not what they say.

But that doesn't change the fact that the relief wells are the only real option to stop the leak on a permanent basis.

That BP will be making money off the oil they bring up is as inevitable as the sun rising tomorrow. People are junkies to oil products and this is the disgusting side effects of that addiction.

There's no real history here...all claims short of drilling a relief well are quick fixes that may slow the flow or temporarily shut it down, but the pressure on the well remains and that's why the relief wells are needed. It was always needed...and yes, a major reason was to save whatever BP can to suck up later after the heat dies down. Again, it needs to be said that there have been few blow outs at this depth thus there have been no assurances any of these quick fixes were going to work....more PR than reality, and as I've been told many times over the past few days, "perception is reality".

:kick:

if it does not well relief wells. They are drilling the relief wells either way.

Oy

try to intersect the well? Fill a column already filled with cement with more cement?

Or would they convert to two production wells to "relieve the pressure"?

it is actually basic physics... this is just temporary and they need to relieve this or they could have cracks on the ground. Incidentally this is a danger if this goes wrong, or even if goes right. They are called fractures and they had that problem with the Ixtoc for example, or recently off shore in Australia.

Chances are that this thing will not be commercially used... (and there is this PR stuff too)

The Ixtoc I, for example, had those well dug and never went into production.

PS I can't spell today

Not to make money, but to relieve pressure. I see.....

they need to relieve that pressure or we will have a permanent volcano, (ok permanent in semi geologic times) It could be years or centuries until pressures equalize and you got no more coming out. As is oil is far lighter at those depths. Water is cold, in the forties and due to the pressure it takes on the texture of syrup.

My BIL was pointing out to a naturally occurring undersea tar volcano off California

http://www.physorg.com/news191775179.html

These asphalt volcanoes are a good idea of what could happen if nothing works.