BP relief well hits damaged oil well
Published:Friday | September 17, 2010 | 2:58 PM
British Petroleum’s (BP) relief well has now reached the damaged oil well in the Gulf of Mexico and is ready to permanently seal it.
The cementing of the bottom of the well, likely to happen tomorrow, will bring to an end a nearly five-month battle for the oil firm.
No oil has spilled into the Gulf since a temporary cap was placed on the well in mid-July.
The explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig on April 20 killed 11 workers and caused a massive oil spill.
This final cementing will mean BP can leave the site and concentrate on dealing with the aftermath of the spill.
The relief well was drilled 2.5 miles through dirt and rock beneath the sea floor.
On Wednesday, the US government said it also wanted energy firms to dismantle hundreds of unused platforms to prevent potential spillages.
Some installations have been sitting idle for decades without inspection for leaks.
The new requirements are due to take effect in October.