The well casing is still cracked and there is no way to repair it. They will test the pressure by progressively closing off the cap until they detect seepage from the surrounding Gulf floor. Then they’ll know what they are looking at with respect to the relief well and if there is any potential to top kill and seal it off permanently. That’s all the so called relief well is, a way to get more mud into the bore
Good points. Also the BOP is damaged. We have reports about hydraulic leaks prior to the well going out of control. Reports of the rams firing but not working. And verification that there are two drill pipes that jammed down into the BOP from the platform or riser above as the platform was exploding, catching on fire and sinking. IMHO - They are gambling by increasing the pressure on the BOP, wellhead and well bore. Would be much better to go for near complete collection and not test the pressure until they see if the relief well concept will work. We already have complaints from Dutch Shell that BOP’s plan to flush the relief well intersect section before cementing is risky.