BignotePls note the volume of cement in annulus has to be more...

Bignote

Pls note the volume of cement in annulus has to be more then the theoritical value. Considering that certain formations could b fractured, thats where u'd have cement loss, so in reality the annulus would b far more then 1.5" in sections, as the 8.5" hole could carry washouts. An annulus of 3/4" would occur if they had swelling clays (condition referred as tight hole). Howevr the good thing is case has holding well on the outside.

As for yr querries,
1) I've used 1000' as a benchmark as thats the figure reported earlier in 1 of their reports, could b less so that makes it much less steel stuck in cement.
2-3) yes.

You'd generally wait for 24 hrs+ for the cement to set before drilling the float & cement beneath
(pls refer my cement definition in an earlier post)

Its an unfortunate holdup but could have been a lot worse, so lets hope rationality prevails.

Cheers