Kent Wells Technical Briefing, 7:30AM CDT, 2010/07/18

Transcribed by Steve Friedl [SJFriedl]	- steve@unixwiz.net

Note: These are on-the-fly paraphrases, not direct quotes!

* Mr. Salvan beginning conference from Houston
* "Turning over to Doug Suttles" [no Kent today]
* "Well remains shutin, between 1-2 psi, now at 6778psi"
* "Trend continues as forecast consistent with reservior being depleted"
* "Extensive monitoring: seismic runs, monitoring with ROVs, as well as looking at noise & temp from BOP"
* "All of that data continues to show encouraging signs, not showing any issues w/ shutin. Reviewing data w/ govt teams"
* "Based on these results, we're leaving well shut in"
* "If you've been watching video feeds, you'll see bubbles. Not uncommon"
* "Done some simple tests to see if hydrocarbons, We don't think they are, but collecting samples"
* "Summary: encouraging 2.5 days into integrity test, continuing to monitor & work w/ experts"
* "DD3, relief well #1, at 17864', at the casing point, running last string"
* "Next operation is a ranging run, figure out direction and where pointing, casing operation takes about a week, ready to drill out in the early part of the following week"
* "We have another 100 feet vertically, 4' laterally to drill, but lots of measurement runs. Looking like last few days of July to intercept"
* "Second RW (DD2) is at 15874' and holding in place depending on RW1 info"
* "Containment systems: continuing to build them out to add capacity and to minimize the time they would be unavailable in the event of a storm"
* "Construction slowing down a bit to accomodate the monitoring"
* "Addl capacity around the end of the month"
* "Cleanup: concentrating the skimming/burning operations near the source.
* "Continuing to be less and less oil near shore"
  [missed numbers of bbls collected]
* "Around the shorline, no new shoreline impacts in last 24h"
* "Last few days are encouraging, but these are all *early* steps, critical we'll be here for the longterm"
* taking questions
* Q from NBC News: "Has govt given you a deadline to reach 6800psi target?"
* A "Govt has given us requirement to complete a number of monitoring tasks, not just one target number. "
* "The buildup is encouraging, plus no negative events. If we saw a problem, we'd determine next steps"
* Q from AP: "Everybody wants to know when the well is going to be reopened, at least partially. Will we see oil flow into gulf later today? How much? When?"
* A "Nobody wants to see more oil flow into GoM, there is no target to open the well to flow, but that remains a possibility if we see signs. But no target"
* Q Upstream: "SO you are saying this integrity test could continue to mid-August when the RWs are done? Any danger to wellbore if this were to continue?"
* "We're just taking this day by day, might be day-by-day until the RW is done"
* Q from CNN: "When this test is concluded, Adm. Allen said you would return to production. WOuld this open cappy to sea, or can you go to production w/o that?"
* A "To re-initiate containment, would have to open flow to GoM for a time while producers ramp up. Q4000 standing by, can ramp up in few hours.  Helix producer standing by too, but not connected to tanker."
* "If we have to re-initiate containment activities for up to 3 days, clearly nobody wants to see that. We're just monitoring"
* Q from NPR: "When you said you are attempting to assess bubbles: has sample been taken? WHat's the holdup?"
* "We've done a number of things besides monitoring: tested for hydrates - no hydrates"
* "It's a complex operation to capture these bubbles, we're sending equipment to seabed. Attempting but have not captured samples"
* Q from Bloomberg: "Does this mean that BP's plan is to keep the well shut until RW is drilled? If not, how much would be leaked? Chance to produce?"
* A "Nobody wants to see more oil go into the GoM, but we have to make sure we don't make situation worse - that's why we're so cautious re: test"
* "Data monitored constantly, taking it day by day. Don't want to re-initate flow, but we will if needed to not make it worse"
* Q from ABC News: "Does this no longer become a test? This is longer than a 48h period. What are the exact conditions that would get you to end the test and open the valves?"
* "This *is* a test - multiple seismic runs/day, sonar activity, remote subs flying complex patterns, both visual and sonar"
* "Measurements at wellhead. At some point we may call the test complete, but we're not there yet"
* "Days with no new shoreline impacts, less oil into the gulf, lots of monitoring." [blah blah blah]
* one more Q
* Q Times Picayune: "Can you give us idea what you're looking for w/
these seismic/sonar tests?"
* "Looking for ANY indication that flow has escaped the wellbore: watching pressure build on predictable rate is one key variable."
* "Seismic data allows us to look for any oil/gas escaping wellbore into subsea strata"
* "NOAA Pisces looking for any indication of flow at seabed - uses precise instrument"
* "ROVs looking for visual and sonar evidence"
* "Also monitoring temp at BOP - right now it's cold, 40F, which is what we want. Precise expectations of tests"
* [transcribing BP tech call]
* "Basically looking for any indication of escaping, not seen anything yet. Very encouraged"
<Ferd> good work Fried1