Witness: BP used seawater instead of drilling mud.

[dixiegrrrrl]

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.

http://finance.yahoo.com/news/AP-Exclusive-Witness-says-BP-apf-3179178022.html?x=0&sec=topStories&pos=2&asset=&ccode=

[ShortnFiery]

1. Yes, that was the last in a series of SERIOUS errors they slid by our STRAC group

of MMS inspectors. It's disgusting: the marriage of incompetent BP and MMS "inspector" stooges involved in CREATING this environmental disaster.

They had to WORK AT IT (several errors) to get this situation this FUBAR. :nuke:

[dixiegrrrrl]

2. Wonder when the wrongful death charges will be filed.

[snooper2]

3. That may be a contributing factor

But the reason that this blowout happened is very clear...Just watch the 60 minutes interview with Mike Williams, chief electronics technician.

They were doing some tests and a guy on the rig bumped the joystick causing the riser to move. One of the fittings (where two sections of risers join) came through the annular. Large chunks of rubbder came up onto the rig...That was it.

Made any pressure tests invalid...I don't know why more people don't understand or are talking about this. Even watching this stupid ass hearing from the House Natural Resources Committee nobody has brought it up.


http://www.cbsnews.com/sections/60minutes/main3415.shtml

[CrispyQ]

4. Just like when the media whines on & on about the more toxic dipersant BP is using,

but they never mention the link between BP execs & the company that makes the toxic dispersant. I've written to AC twice, asking why he doesn't bring this issue up.

The 60 Minutes interview is a must see!

[dixiegrrrrl]

5. I watched it and posted a link to it last week.

Thanks for posting it again for those who might have missed it.

[pansypoo53219]

6. this cutting corners probably worked at shallower wells.

what could go wrong at this well?

[Jamastiene]

7. BP stuck their chests out and told Transocean that Halliburton was

going to do it that way. If I have it straight, Halliburton were the ones who were supposed to do that part...BPs way, of course.

[applegrove]

8. That was in the 60 Minutes story a week ago.