Safety officials are set to drill a relief well for the gas well which blew out and left an oil rig ablaze in the Gulf of Mexico for two days last week.
Walter Oil and Gas, which operated the South Timablier well where the Hercules 265 caught on fire, has now been given permission to drill a relief well using the Rowan EXL-3 jack-up rig.
Despite the well flow being stopped by natural blockage, some gas is continuing to leak into the water, with officials from the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement confirming a slight sheen continues to be visible on the surface of the water.
The relief well will intercept the main well and allow drilling mud and cement to be pumped into it to properly secure it.
“All available options for a safe resolution to the incident continue to be under consideration,” said the bureau in a statement last night.
“After completion of a site assessment, personnel are on board the Hercules 265 jack-up rig and in the process of installing gas detectors and high-capacity water jet fire monitors for contingency purposes.”
US Coastguard officials continue to maintain a 500m exclusion zone around the rig, which caught fire after the 44 personnel on board were evacuated last Tuesday.
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