New well cap may offer relief

BP plans to remove the loose cap over its gushing well in the Gulf of Mexico on Saturday and replace it with a firm one that could capture almost all the oil and gas gushing out. The plan is to have it in place by Monday. If the process works, workers would funnel the leaking oil into tankers on the surface, meaning no additional oil and gas will gush into the Gulf waters. National Incident Commander Thad Allen announced late Friday that he approved a detailed timeline submitted by BP. The best hope for stopping the leaks are two relief wells. (Sources: Multiple, including Washington Post, 07/10/10) The Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20, killing 11 workers. Oil has leaked since then and has washed ashore from Texas to Northwest Florida.