The extreme heat and pressures had caused the barite to form a cement like material that was hard to grind away.

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In December, efforts were made to dissolve the barite using a solvent.

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For sure, they will not again use barite in any heavy muds sent down these holes to keep gas kicks under control in the future.

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Right now, the company says, it has removed that mud from the hole, but it believes that barite from the oil-based mud has blocked the flow.

FORBES: Updated 11:30 Central.

In its update yesterday, McMoran says it is injecting a barite solvent to clean out the perforations, or holes in the drill pipe, through which the gas will flow.

FORBES: Updated 11:30 Central.

There had already been a several week delay during which MMR was trying to mechanically grind away solidified barite, an ingredient in the oil based mud that was used to contain the well when it repeatedly tried to flow before it was supposed to.

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