BP Fits New Containment Cap in Gulf of Mexico Leak

By Joel ScanlonJul 12 2010

BP says it's pleased with the progress being made in trying to contain the Gulf of Mexico oil leak with a new lower marine riser package (LMRP) containment cap over the Deepwater Horizon's failed blow-out preventer. The favorable weather conditions after hurricane Alex are being exploited by engineers in a race to control the giant oil gusher at the bottom of the Gulf.

An around the clock effort is being undertaken to fix the new tighter cap onto the leak at the ocean floor. BP says the new system has the potential to capture all of the leaking crude oil. The procedure will take 4 to 7 days to get into place.

After 24 hours BP Vice President Kent Wells announced to journalists that they were pleased with their progress. The company had planned and practiced the whole procedure and had tried to work out as many bugs possible.

BP says the new cap along with the deployment of a third containment ship by BP called the Helix Producer will raise the system's capacity to hold between 60,000 and 80,000 barrels a day. This would be enough to capture all the leaking oil.