Pipe cut, capping next

U.S. Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said BP has successfully sliced off a pipe in an effort to contain the oil that's gushing into the Gulf of Mexico. He said the cap was over the gusher and will be lowered today. In this method, oil will be pumped to the surface. The best chance to plug the leak with relief wells is still two months away. (Source: Washington Post, 06/03/10) The area closed to fishing in the Gulf of Mexico represents 88,502 square miles, about 37 percent of Gulf of Mexico federal waters. (Source: NOAA, 06/02/10) The Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20, killing 11 workers. Oil has been gushing into the Gulf of Mexico ever since. Attempts to stem the flow so far have failed. Most of the oil has come ashore in Louisiana.