Gulf Spill Relief Well May Reach Target In 2 Weeks -BP Contractor

7th Jul 2010 17:26

HOUSTON (Dow Jones)--BP Plc's (BP) attempt to permanently kill a leaking deep-water well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico is progressing well ahead of schedule and could reach its target within two weeks, a BP contractor said Wednesday. Billy Brown, president of Blackhawk Specialty Tools, said that the first relief well is "very close," within 10 feet of reaching its target. Blackhawk, based in Houma, La., is involved in the cementing process at the two relief wells BP is drilling at the site of the Deepwater Horizon spill. Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an International Association of Drilling Contractors meeting, Brown said that "hopefully in the next two weeks we are going to be hearing some very good things." "BP has been flawless in getting this well out," Brown added. Brown's comments underscore the widespread sentiment that BP could permanently stop the leak before its announced mid-August target date. But there are plenty of challenges, including hurricane season, which could disrupt drilling efforts, and the final part of the relief well-drilling operation, which requires frequent stops and measurements. Retired U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, who heads the federal oil-spill response effort, said at a news conference Tuesday that he was "sticking" with the August target despite the fact that the drilling was a week ahead of schedule. - By Angel Gonzalez, Dow Jones Newswires, 713-547-9214;[email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 07, 2010 12:26 ET (16:26 GMT)