BP official: Oil has stopped flowing into Gulf of Mexico

[CHRISTINA]

If this is true, it would be fantastic news indeed!

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/07/bp_says_oil_has_stopped.html

View full size(BP PLC)This image from BP shows work on the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday, July 15, 2010.

MOBILE, Ala. -- A BP official said oil stopped flowing from a well in the Gulf of Mexico at 2:25 p.m. today as testing began on a cap over the leak.

It's the first time oil has not leaked from the well since April.

In a technical briefing, BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells said "it felt very good not to see any oil going into the Gulf of Mexico."

"What I'm trying to do is maintain my emotions," Wells said. "Remember, this is the start of our test."

The procedure -- known as a well integrity test -- should determine whether the oil can be blocked without damaging the well.

Officials have said the cap could be used to either block the oil or move the oil to containment ships floating on the surface, until a relief well can be completed.

Gov. Bob Riley, speaking from Dauphin Island this afternoon, said "I think a lot of prayers have been answered today."

BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles, also on Dauphin Island this afternoon, said "getting the flow stopped is a massive milestone, but it's not the end."

Engineers will be monitoring pressure levels in the well over the next six to 48 hours, Wells said, and BP might need to open the well back up.

Drilling of two relief wells has also been suspended during the test out of an "overabundance of caution," Well said. No decisions have been made about when to restart that work.

Earlier today, National Incident Commander Thad Allen said the ultimate goal is to get a relief well drilled to plug the gushing well with mud and cement.

President Barack Obama said the news was a "positive sign," but added "we're still in the testing phase." The president said he would have more to say on the development Friday.

(Press-Register Staff Reporter Dan Murtaugh and The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

[CHRISTINA]

@ Joshua: that's why I wrote top left "If this is true......"
BTW Happy Birthday Joshua :-)

[Giovanni]

its not going to work it will look like it but they have no plans on Closing that well

[Joshua]

I want to give another perspective.... The relief wells should have been drilled before we capped the main well. Reason... Lets say what Richard Hogland(?) and others said about the ocean floor being cracked, at the moment is correct... If you put a cap on this thing I imagine the pressure would build exponentially to the point were it will either explode or become completely irreversible... Don't intent to be negative, just expansive.. Think about it.... When does corporate news ever tell the TRUTH? For all we know it could still be leaking, they just want people to become distracted again. On top of that the one thing I found interesting about what they're saying about it is that it's NOT a permanent fix, they DON'T know what will happen.... I imagine they do know.

So Don't believe the Media Don't Believe Me and Don't believe your-self... Just know you CANNOT be certain of ANYTHING.

Much Love!

[Simmy]

I do hope it works!!