Vino, I agree, I think the real concern is the casing down hole. It is imperative to be able handle and process the full flow at the surface with out building up pressure in the well.
I know they have been preparing a new connection, larger pipe and a floating system(?) for quick disconnect, they have done two trial runs at removing the bolts at the flange, and done so with no difficulty.
It now appears they will be changing it here within a few days..
July 2, 2010, 2:21 p.m
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch) -- A new cap that BP PLC plans to fit over the gushing Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico has a shot at completely containing the oil and natural gas that have been spewing out for weeks, Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Friday.
In a briefing with reporters, Allen said the new cap -- which BP hopes to have in place by July 15 -- would be bolted to the riser pipe and fitted with a rubber seal. The new cap could capture up to 80,000 barrels of oil a day, believed to be more than the entire output of the riser, Allen said.
Meanwhile, BP appears to be ahead of schedule in drilling a relief well that would act as the permanent solution for the renegade pipe, but Allen pointed out that officials are sticking with the company's original projection of finishing the operation by early August.
