As discussed in my earlier blog entry, BP is preparing to install a new cap on the blowout preventer stack creating a double-decker BOP stack. Admiral Allen announced the government's approval of this process to be run simultaneously with the connection of the Helix Producer to the kill line of the original BOP. Here is a picture of the proposed arrangement of ships and here is a picture of the new capping stack BOP. Starting at the bottom of the capping stack BOP you can see the "test pipe" which simulates the riser flange on the existing BOP that will be taken apart to make the switch. Above that is the spool piece, which provides a spacer to extend past the end of the drill pipes (Admiral Allen indicated that there are two, the one stuck in the shear ram and another which apparently fell when the rig sank. If you go to slide 4 you can see the mock up of what they expect to find when they remove the LMRP cap.) They will band those two...(Read Full Post)