Bud's Offshore Energy (BOE)

Statement by Admiral Allen this morning (19 July):

I authorized BP to continue the integrity test for another 24 hours and I restated our firm position that this test will only continue if they continue to meet their obligations to rigorously monitor for any signs that this test could worsen the overall situation.

Comments: 

• Interesting wording.  Why imply that shutting-in the well is some type of special favor to BP?  One would think that BP would be directed (not allowed) to keep the well shut-in. 
• I have seen no reason for discontinuing the “test.”  The reported gas observation could be a natural seep of which there are hundreds in the deepwater Gulf.  Even if there is minor gas seepage associated with near surface well integrity issues, this seepage will end when the source (the Macondo reservoir) is killed.  It is extremely unlikely that shutting in the Macondo well would create new channels (not associated with the well bore) all the way from the reservoir back to the seafloor. 
• I thought last night’s leak about a leak was interesting.  Was the press leak intentional? Who was the leaker intending to embarass?  BP?  The Unified Command?  Admiral Allen?  Strange.