Mr. “Plug-the-hole” probably told his minions that if this test caused any problems, he would “kick their asses.” Just read between the lines of Coast Guard Thad Allen saying “The testing might benefit from further study before implementation.” That is the kind of bureaucratic comment that comes from someone who has been threatened by his boss.
They don’t need to stop the flow. They now have the capacity to collect 100%+ (80,000BPD) with the existing “top hat 10” and transfer it to 4 ships on the surface.
The only downside is a hurricane could shut it all down.