Secretary Salazar Visits Relief Well Drilling Platform

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar visited the Development Driller II, which, along with the Development Driller III, is making progress in drilling the dual relief wells to permanently stop the flow of leaking oil from BP's deep underwater well. He was briefed by BP officials, as well as engineers directing and overseeing their work.

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    Secretary Salazar observes operations over the site of the former Deepwater Horizon platform. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar with workers from Driller II, one of two drilling platforms trying to stop the oil flow by drilling relief wells. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar looks at a stabilizer that is used to drill the hole, that will eventually be cased off with the 18" casing. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar observes the drill string which consists of drill pipe and drill collars. Drill collars are used to add weight to assist the drill bit to drill formation. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar observes the drill string which consists of drill pipe and drill collars. Drill collars are used to add weight to assist the drill bit to drill formation. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar and platform workers. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar on Driller II Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar with Michael Fruge from BP and Coast Guard Rear Admiral Paul Zukunft Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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    Secretary Salazar on his ninth visit to the Gulf. Tami A. Heilemann-DOI

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