HOUSTON, Aug 1 (Reuters) - A key two-step procedure to seal BP Plc.'s Macondo well could begin late on Monday, the top U.S. oil spill official said on Sunday.
'That could start as early as Monday night,' retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said, referring to the 'static kill' procedure to pump heavy mud and cement into the top of the well.
The 'bottom kill' procedure to pump mud into the bottom of the reservoir and permanently seal it could start 5-7 days later, Allen said.
(Reporting by Chris Baltimore and Bruce Nichols, Editing by Sandra Maler)
((Email: b.nichols@thomsonreuters.com; +1 713 210 8510; Reuters Messaging: bruce.nichols.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: OIL SPILL/ALLEN (For help: Click 'Contact Us' in your desk top, click here or call 1-800-738-8377 for Reuters Products and 1-888-463-3383 for Thomson products; For client training: training.americas@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 646-223-5546) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'That could start as early as Monday night,' retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said, referring to the 'static kill' procedure to pump heavy mud and cement into the top of the well.
The 'bottom kill' procedure to pump mud into the bottom of the reservoir and permanently seal it could start 5-7 days later, Allen said.
(Reporting by Chris Baltimore and Bruce Nichols, Editing by Sandra Maler)
((Email: b.nichols@thomsonreuters.com; +1 713 210 8510; Reuters Messaging: bruce.nichols.reuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: OIL SPILL/ALLEN (For help: Click 'Contact Us' in your desk top, click here or call 1-800-738-8377 for Reuters Products and 1-888-463-3383 for Thomson products; For client training: training.americas@thomsonreuters.com ; +1 646-223-5546) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2010. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.