BP cleared to start cementing leaking well

5th Aug 2010 07:14

Fresh from its apparent success plugging the leaking Maconda well in the Gulf of Mexico with mud, oil giant BP has been given clearance to start the cementing part of its 'static kill' process.The company said it had received authorisation from the National Incident Commander (NIC) to conduct cementing operations on the MC252 well.Pumping operations are scheduled to start on Thursday, 5 August.The aim of the procedure is to assist with the strategy to kill and isolate the well, and will complement the upcoming relief well operation.The company said on Wednesday that the well "appears to have reached a static condition" in what the company hailed as a "significant milestone" in its attempts to resolve the oil leak disaster.