[QUOTE=alcor;38397]We don’t know that the Seal Assy was correctly positioned. We don’t know that the flow was coming from the Annulus. It may be that it’s coming from the main bore. These are the questions facing the crew at that time. Hindsight, on our part is a luxury. All they know is that they have a leak. Space out the TJ and Close the Rams. Prepare for Shear. Read pressures on the Choke, and assess where the gas is coming from. If it’s the Annulus, see if we can establish bullheading flow. If not, the dilemma develops. What next, and next, and next. We have control of our vessel and all hands are secure. It may have been possible to allow the gas to migrate. After all, there’s a weak zone which will break down first and possibly stop any further influx by maintaining BHP. It depends on the volume of gas that came into the well.
It may be that as pressure builds up we are able to bleed off small amounts to allow the gas bubble to increase in size thus reducing the impact when it sits under the WH/BOP.
There’s always action we can take.
If for some reason, the volume allowed in is too great we better get that BOP closed asap. And Shear. We’re still safe, and the vessel is too.
Remember, DWH isn’t the only vessel that’s had to deal with gas entering the well. You get a kick and you form a plan to fight it. And, that action is understood by all crews. It doesn’t require hindsight.[/QUOTE]
Using the benefit of hindsight I am telling you that no matter what they did on surface it doesn’t matter & until you admit that, then you’re being ignorant by choice. The fact is they could not lubricate & bleed & they could not use the driller’s method of relief because every time they pumped up on the seal assembly from the top it would set back down in the bore & you know that. The rest is symantics & you know that. So quit it. If you are nearly the smart guy you say you are you know where the well was flowing from & any other crap you come up with is just reaching for the moon & you know that too.