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crew can conduct an accurate negative test. In the case of the Macondo well, the
barrier being tested was the cement in the shoe track of the wellbore.

BP considered multiple negative test procedures in the days leading up to
April 20. Neither BP nor Transocean had pre‐existing negative test standards
and procedures. As of April 2010, MMS did not require that operators conduct
negative tests, and, consequently, did not specify how such tests should be
performed.

In an April 18, 2010 email entitled “Negative Test” from Brian Morel to
John Guide, Morel briefly explained the negative test to be conducted, stating
that the “[p]lan is to do a negative test with base oil on the bottom plug. Then
we will displace (a second negative test to greater value will happen) and
following that set the cement plug.” Morel then asked Guide:
210

Are you ok with this, or do you think we should remove the first base oil
test and just use the displacement as a negative test (shut down at the end
and do a flow test)?... I have got different opinions from everyone on the
team. The way we currently have it set up is the standard we have been
using, but this one is slightly different because the plug is so deep and
base oil doesn’t achieve the full negative load the wellbore will see. Don
[Vidrine] and Bob [Kaluza] don’t seem to have strong opinions either
211
way.

Guide responded by saying, “I would use the seawater displacement as
the negative test, as you stated, shut down at the end and do a flow test.”
Twenty minutes later, Morel replied, without elaboration or any evidence of
deliberation, “[d]one.” Neither Guide nor Morel informed the rig crew that
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these changes greatly increased the risks of a well control event.

Transocean personnel were aware of the importance of conducting a
successful negative test. Jimmy Harrell, Transocean offshore installation
manager, testified that “[t]he first plan I seen [sic] didn’t have a negative test in
it. So I told him [Vidrine] it was my policy to do a negative test before displacing
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with seawater.”

210 BP considered a number of different negative test procedures in the days leading up to April
20. The different negative test variations that BP considered are detailed in Appendix G.
211 BP‐HZN‐MBI‐00256247.
212 Id.
213 Harrell testimony at 26.

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