BP reports progress

British Petroleum (BP) is reporting progress in its efforts to prevent any more oil from spilling from the ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico.



According to the government's incident commander, by the end of the week BP will start an operation known as the final kill.



That operation is aimed at permanently sealing the damaged well.



BP's response has so far cost US$6.1 billion.



Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama has welcomed the news that operations in the Gulf appeared to be making more progress.



Oil stopped leaking into the Gulf of Mexico on July 15 for the first time since the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig in April.



The blast killed 11 people.