re: When they start to close the valves...

quote:

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The goal is to make P(hydro) greater than P(formation) so that the flow stops. (That's a bit oversimplified, but close enough.)

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I'm clear on that and understand that perfectly.

Here's what I don't. It's formation pressure that is felt throughout the system and is what we're fighting, right? Any pressure equalization, regardless of where flow is stopped, will be whatever the formation pressure is, right? If you stop the flow on top with the cap, pressure throughout the system equalizes to formation pressure. If you stop flow on the bottom, from that point down, pressure equalizes to formation pressure. So what difference does it make of where you stop flow in regards to creating other leaks in the sea floor/subsurface if the integrity of these areas is suspect?

In other words, if a cap on top causes subsurface/sea floor leakage, what makes the bottom kill any different? Your still relying on the same sea floor to hold back the same formation pressure. Is it that the cement that is pumped in will also enter the formation and fill any cracks that may form in the process?

Not trying to be argumentative. I have no expertise in the oil field, but I do understand pressure and that issue remains unclear to me.