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Figure 7 – Flow Up the Annulus and Through Production Casing Crossover Joint
After cementing the production casing, the Deepwater Horizon crew
conducted a successful 2,500 psi positive casing test against the top wiper plug.
159
Although this pressure test (250 psi low/2,500 psi high) did not confirm a seal
below the top wiper plug at the top of the float collar, it did provide evidence
that the 9‐7/8 x 7 inch production casing and related components that comprise
this string above the top wiper plug were most likely leak‐free.
Like Scenario 1, Scenario 2 posits that hydrocarbons flowed through the
annulus. Forensic evidence gathered during well intervention efforts casts
substantial doubt on this theory. As discussed above, the Panel found no
evidence of erosion of the hanger and seat assembly. Had hydrocarbons flowed
along this path, erosion effects likely would have been visible. In addition, as
mentioned above, logging data show that free gas was not present in the annulus
below the BOP.
For all of these reasons, the Panel does not believe that Scenario 2
represents a likely explanation for the flow path of hydrocarbons during the
blowout.
159 Smith Report at 8.
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