UPDATE: BP: Awaits US OK For New Gulf Well-Sealing Operation

21st Jul 2010 22:18

(Adds new information in the fifth paragraph.) By Susan Faker Of DOW JONES NEWSWIRES HOUSTON(Dow Jones)--BP PLC (BP, BP.LN) said Wednesday it is waiting for U.S. government approval in order to start an operation that could speed up the permanent sealing of a broken well in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico. Meanwhile, the company has received approval to proceed with another 24-hour testing period of the well's fitness, said Kent Wells, a BP senior vice president. The well has been undergoing testing for several days, after a cap was placed on top of it last week, Wells said. The cap has been preventing up to 60,000 barrels of oil a day from flowing into the sea. BP would like to attempt what is known as a static kill, which could plug the leaking well with heavy drilling mud. The static kill could make it easier to complete a relief well, which is the seen as the final way to shut down the gusher. The disaster started in late April with the explosion and sinking of the Deepwater Horizon drilling rig. Wells didn't give a specific time frame for when the approval would be granted. Meanwhile, the company continues to monitor the weather for possible delays to the "static kill," operation. Concerns have been raised about a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean causing problems for spill responders but the chances of this storm getting stronger have been diminishing as it moves over the high terrain of Hispaniola, according to the National Hurricane Center. -By Susan Daker, Dow Jones Newswires; 713-547-9208; [email protected]. (END) Dow Jones Newswires July 21, 2010 17:18 ET (21:18 GMT)