A rig drilling a relief well to help plug the gushing blown-out well is ahead of schedule and could reach its target over the next three to four weeks, said Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen, the administration’s point man on the spill response.
Allen said Thursday that a drill from a rig near the ruptured well is nearly 10,000 feet below the sea floor and should come within 10 feet of the existing well in the next few weeks.
He also said the final push of drilling is the most difficult. The relief drilling was originally slated for completion in mid- August. Once the drill reaches its target, BP will pump heavy mud down the relief well in an attempt to stop the flow.
BP is capturing about 20,000 of the estimated 35,000 to 60,000 barrels of oil gushing daily. It hopes to boost that to 40,000 to 50,000 by the end of June and 60,000 to 80,000 by mid-July.
Denver Post wire services Graphic: McClatchy-Tribune
