Drilling of the relief well continues

Development Driller III is in the process of laying the final casing run, a necessary step before beginning the static diagnostics test, which consist of pumping mud and cement in through the top of the well, which will provide more information about well integrity and ultimately improves the probability of success for the relief well.

The Q4000 is on-scene and ready for the static diagnostics test. Once the casing is set, the cementing of the relief well is expected to begin within four to five days. Development Driller II will hold operations and await results of the DDIII relief well.

Development Driller III has drilled the first relief well to a depth of 17,864 feet below the Gulf surface and Development Driller II has drilled the second relief well, a backup measure taken at the direction of the Obama administration, to a depth of 15,963 feet below the surface.

Development Driller III is a fifth generation, Vanuatu-flagged dynamic positioning semi-submersible ultra-deepwater drilling rig owned by Transocean and operated under lease agreements by various petroleum exploration and production companies worldwide.

The vessel is capable of drilling in water depths up to 7,500 feet (2,300 m) with drilling depth of 35,000 feet (11,000 m), upgradeable to 37,500 feet (11,400 m).

On May 2, 2010, Development Driller III started drilling a relief well on Macondo Prospect to stop massive oil spill caused by the explosion and subsequent loss of the Deepwater Horizon.