BP was "taking shortcuts" by replacing heavy drilling fluid with saltwater in the well that blew

[G_j]

http://www.mercurynews.com/nation-world/ci_15165095?source=rss&nclick_check=1



Witness: BP took 'shortcuts' before Gulf well blowout

By Greg Bluestein and Mike Baker
Associated Press
Posted: 05/26/2010 07:53:56 AM PDT

COVINGTON, La. — Senior managers complained oil giant BP was "taking shortcuts" by replacing heavy drilling fluid with saltwater in the well that blew out, triggering the massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, according to witness statements obtained by The Associated Press.

Truitt Crawford, a roustabout for drilling rig owner Transocean Ltd., told Coast Guard investigators about the complaints. The seawater, which would have provided less weight to contain surging pressure from the ocean depths, was being used to prepare for dropping a final blob of cement into the well.

"I overheard upper management talking saying that BP was taking shortcuts by displacing the well with saltwater instead of mud without sealing the well with cement plugs, this is why it blew out," Crawford said in his statement.

A spokesman for BP, which was leasing the rig Deepwater Horizon when it exploded April 20, killing 11 workers and triggering a massive oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, declined to comment.

BP conducted tests today in preparation for its latest bid to plug the leaking well by force-feeding it heavy drilling mud and cement. BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward said on NBC's "Today" show that he would decide this morning whether to allow crews to try the procedure called a top kill.

Meanwhile, the statements from workers ahead of a hearing in New Orleans today and a congressional memo about a BP internal investigation of the blast indicated warning signs were ignored. Tests less than an hour before the well blew out found a buildup of pressure that was an "indicator of a very large abnormality," BP's investigator said, according to the congressional memo.

..more..

[charlesg]

1. Somebody was trying to impress the BP executives who were visiting

or maybe the visiting BP executives ordered them to do it.

[G_j]

3. impressive alright!

but in the worst way possible..

[Octafish]

2. Such a green company, too.

Transocean sounds worried about becoming the fall guy.

They shouldn't worry. There's plenty of blame to go around.

Thanks to Big Oil's big investment in lobbying, of course, the mighty U.S. taxpayer is here to pick up the tab.

[G_j]

4. wait until the next elections... nt

[applegrove]

5. Yup. Saw the 60 Minutes story last week. Damming.