BP says it has capped source of Gulf of Mexico oil slick
BY Wire reports
Friday, October 26, 2012
10/26/12 at 5:35 AM
BP PLC said Thursday it has capped and plugged an abandoned piece of equipment that is believed to be the source of a sheen spotted near the site of its massive 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
The London-based oil giant said it placed a 750-pound cap over an 86-ton steel container that the company had deployed in a failed effort to contain the spill.
BP also inserted plugs on the top and sides of the container, which had been lowered over a leaking drill pipe in an effort to funnel oil to the surface.
BP and the Coast Guard say no oil has been seen leaking out of the container since it was capped and plugged.
The operation started Tuesday and lasted roughly 26 hours.
The sheen appeared on the Gulf's surface in September. BP plans to monitor the sheen by satellite for several more days.
