Page 20 - Pressure Test News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

Some has to dissipate naturally. we need to monitor. the fisheries while we've re-opened some, some remain closed. you can't put this much oil throughout and not be concerned, and that's how we responded, with a great deal of concern. >> let's talk about bp's accountability. how many barrel was oil were spilled? >> the estimates are 4.9 million barrels, and those estimates are based on pressure tests we were able to do when the top hat was put on. >> bp doesn't commit to that figure, do they? >> bp ahas been silent, but that doesn't matter. >> they pay a penalty depending on how much. >> exact...

Nbc's mara schiavocampo joins us live from venice, louisiana. mara, what's next? >> reporter: well, bp says they will alert the media as soon as they begin this test, and they are supposed to start some time today. now, what they are going to be doing is essentially a pressure test. they're going to shut down the valves on that cap that they put in place earlier this week and then they're going to look to see if it can -- what the pressure readings are within it. what they want to see, they say, is high pressure, because low pressure would mean that there's a leak somewhere else that they then...

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Well's integrity. those results are ambiguous. after more than 24 hours the pressure reading stood at 6,700 pounds per square inch. or psis. just as water in a nonleaking garden hose would build to a certain level, the ideal level would be higher. between 8,000 and 9,000 psis according to admiral thad allen. that may indicate a leak. admiral allen says seismic probes have not indicated a leak in the ground. the low pressure readings are the result of a depleted reservoir. in any event, the pressure test will continue for at least six hours and with the well sealed, if the well needs to be reop...

Latest updates on this topic from reliable sources.