Why did BP stop mud injection for approximately 20 hours, starting at 2300 CT on the first day of the operation, not resuming until yesterday evening? Prior to the start of the top kill operation, there was no indication that there would be a long pause after an initial pumping period, and according to BP there have been no equipment problems. While stopping to monitor pressure data is understandable, the length of the pause is puzzling.
Why was no one advised that the long-awaited and enormously significant operation had been temporarily suspended? Apparently, Admiral Allen was not aware of the suspension when he spoke with the LA Times yesterday morning, so it is not surprising that no one else knew. The media and other interested observers were watching the seafloor cameras all day looking for signs that the operation was having some effect. Why didn’t someone simply advise that the operation had been temporarily suspended while data were being evaluated?
Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE) 
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