BP Testing New Cap To See If It Can Hold in Oil

"In perhaps the most significant development since BP's runaway well began spewing oil in the Gulf of Mexico 85 days ago, crews placed a tight-fitting cap over the leak Monday evening designed to give the company its greatest chance so far at stopping the flow of oil into the sea.

Oil was still leaking into the Gulf of Mexico Monday night, however. At least two openings in a 'perforated pipe' attached to the new cap could be seen on BP's live video feed shooting oil. But that oil flow is expected until the cap is completely hooked up and the pipe is 'closed in,' BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said.

With the cap in place, BP will begin conducting 'well integrity tests' on the blown-out Macondo well this morning, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said. The pressure readings will tell the company whether the cap will be enough to hold the oil inside the well until a relief well is drilled or whether crews should continue sucking oil from the well to ships on the surface."

Jaquetta White reports for the New Orlans Times-Picayune July 12, 2010.

SEE ALSO:

"BP Affixes New Cap on Gulf Oil Well; Tests Ahead" (AP)