Tag Archives: stalled-because

Crews have removed the blowout preventer on BP's ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico, a company spokeswoman says. http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/09/02/gulf.oil.disaster/index.html?hpt=C1 Cap off BP's ruptured well By the CNN Wire Staff September 2, 2010 5:50 p.m. EDT Crews have begun removing the blowout preventer on BP's ruptured well in the Gulf. STORY HIGHLIGHTS * NEW: Cap removal is first step in removing, replacing blowout preventer * The well has been capped since July 15 * Installing a new blowout preventer is a crucial step toward killing the well LIVE: Click here for an underwater view of BP's work. New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) — Crews removed the cap from BP's ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well late Thursday afternoon, a company spokeswoman said. The operation was the first step in removing the blowout preventer — which failed spectacularly in April, triggering a deadly explosion and oil spill — said BP spokeswoman Jessie Baker. Officials plan to replace the blowout preventer with a new one, a major step toward a final fix. But the effort to permanently seal the ruptured oil well has stalled because of turbulent seas. “We've run into a weather window that's got us in a hold,” said retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the government's point man on the oil disaster. “If we can get to the blowout preventer sooner rather than later, we will do that.” BP announced the postponement of the procedure on its Twitter page Monday. The operation was delayed last week as engineers tried to fish out pieces of drill pipe stuck inside the blowout preventer. Removal of the device needs to be done carefully, officials have said, because the blowout preventer may hold valuable forensic evidence as to why it failed April 20, triggering the explosion that killed 11 rig workers and caused the massive oil disaster. Allen said teams are working closely with joint investigation groups, engineers, scientists and the Department of Justice to ensure the machinery is handled correctly. The well has been capped since July 15, stopping the flow of oil. added by: EthicalVegan