Heavy Mud
On April 20th, 2010 the gulf coast was forever changed by the events that are now known as the BP Oil Spill (Transocean oil spill, Deepwater Horizon oil spill). As oil flowed for 87 days into the gulf coast many different measures were used to try to avert the continuing disaster, including the use of heavy mud.
Heavy mud is also known as drilling mud or drilling fluid and is used to aid in the drilling of holes into the earth. Drilling fluid may be classified into three different categories:
- Water-Based Muds (Dispersed and Non-Dispersed)
- Non-Aqueous Muds (Oil-Based Mud)
- Gaseous Drilling Fluid
Drilling mud is primarily used to provide hydrostatic pressure to prevent the formation of naturally occurring liquids and gases, in environmental developments, that could enter the wellbore. Furthermore, the type of drilling mud used can prevent formation damage and limit corrosion.
On May 26th, 2010, BP began pumping heavy mud into the well which assisted in holding back some of the flow of the oil which was later capped in July 2010. An estimated 4.9 million barrels of oil spilled onto the gulf directly impacting 6,800 miles of the Gulf Coast between the start and end of the spill. Impacts to wildlife and the environment are still being noted as are the health impact of dispersants used in the clean-up efforts.
If you or a loved one has suffered any type of damages due to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, the victim may be entitled to compensation for their injuries, illnesses, property damage, and more.
For free, no-obligation evaluation of your situation, fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form to your left.
Water-Based Mud
According to reports, BP used approximately 55,000 barrels water-based heavy mud to control the oil spillage. The heavy mud was pumped from one of the surface vessels and then directed down a drill pipe into two narrower hoses. The hoses passed into a manifold on the seafloor, which controlled the flow of the oil through two hoses, into the blowout preventer which sat atop the well.
Water based mud system is composed of water, clay, and various other chemicals. The clay is created by drown down shale rock and a combination of native clays that are floating in the fluid while drilling or specific types of clay that are processed and sold as additives. Bentonite is one of the most frequently used processed clays and is composed of absorbent aluminum sheet silicate – specifically sodium bentonite is used for drilling mud. More commonly, sodium bentonite can be found in pet care items such as cat litter.
Although sodium bentonite has been regarded as a safe material to use, in its powder form the substance can cause skin irritations and breathing problems. Workers dealing with powdered sodium bentonite are advised to wear protective clothing and avoid inhaling any of the powder.
The use of heavy mud was a temporary fix during the Transocean oil spill until the use of caps helped fully control the disaster.
Contact Our BP Oil Spill Attorneys Today
The effects of the BP Oil Spills are still being evaluated and some scientists believe that these repercussions may not even be seen for another decade. If you or a loved one has been negatively impacted by the BP Oil spill, an experienced attorney can help you determine if you may be eligible to make a claim.
At the law offices of the Arguello Law Firm we believe that the parties responsible for the deepwater horizon disaster should be held accountable for their actions. We can provide comprehensive legal counsel and help guide you through the litigation process to ensure you receive the MAXIMUM amount of compensation you deserve.
We are pleased to represent clients throughout the United States with offices located in the following areas:
- Birmingham, AL
- Houston, TX
- Phoenix, AZ
- Joplin, MO
To find out how we may be able to help you, contact us at 1-888-CLAIM-68 ((888-252-4668) and one of our intake staff members will connect you with one of our lawyers best suited in handling your specific case.
If you would like to get started right away, fill out the ‘FREE CASE REVIEW’ form located at the top left hand corner of this page – it’s 100% FREE and completely confidential.