I wonder if the guys trying to figure out what was going on with the well would have benefited if they had pressure sensors on the outer casing strings? And if lines connected to those strings would have helped with well control? And if a high pressure shut in/diverter device at surface would have helped them with well control? And if pressure sensors at staged depths in the riser would have helped? Etc.
http://www.drillingcontractor.org/dcpi/dc-novdec07/DC_Nov07_WellControlCudd.pdf
THE DRILLING SECTOR of the
oil industry has made, and continues to
make, great strides in advancing and
applying new technology. Downhole tools
for formation evaluation, extended-reach
and horizontal drilling and temperature tolerant
fluids are used on a daily
basis when 15 years ago they were
only a recognized need for the future.
Unfortunately, the well control niche of
the industry has lagged behind drilling
services in a noticeable way when it
comes to technology advancement.
http://westengineer.com/publication/practice.pdf