[QUOTE=company man 1;36281]That would be correct Bigmoose & it is a very telling indicator if you are on bottom circulating. The only problem is they weren’t on bottom where the BOP would have a fighting chance to save their lives. They were at 8330’ & by the time they recognized an indication there was a gas bubble already in the riser big enough to blow a stream of water & mud 21" wide clean through the derrick. That is one thing my buddies have failed to add to their expert analysis. The bottom joint wasn’t at 18,000’ it was at 8330’ & the kick didn’t circulate up the hole 18’000’., It circulated from 5000’. Not once have they mentioned this in their critical analysis.
Edit: I guess it’s pretty easy to second guess someone when you haven’t had to wear their shoes & until we see all the data unedited, WE JUST DON’T KNOW![/QUOTE]
My personal opinion is that the gas came from the Seal Assy at 5000 ft. There was sufficient time to close the BOP. It also means that gas would have come up the Riser but the Diverter would have controlled it. The Riser would most likely have collapsed. But the well would be secure with a closed BOP. Then, we’d have had a very serious well control problem. But, no lives would have been lost. The casing may not have held and we’d end up with external losses of gas and oil. But we’d still have the opportunity to re-enter the well, strip to bottom, and kill it.
And the DWH would not be at the bottom of the sea.
And BP would then have much to answer. TO would have done their job.