Permanent plug before Aug. 1 possible

BP may move up the schedule for its effort to permanently plug the Gulf of Mexico well that caused the largest oil spill in U.S. history. The static kill would involve pumping mud into the top of the well and perhaps sealing it with cement, and may be done before Aug. 1. The well was capped July 15, and no oil has spewed into the Gulf of Mexico since then. Government scientists decided no leaks will be triggered by a static kill. (Source: Bloomberg, 07/29/10) The Deepwater Horizon exploded April 20, killing 11 workers. Millions of gallons of oil spewed into the water until it was capped in the middle of the month. Oil that had been on the surface of the Gulf of Mexico has been vanishing through weathering, oil-eating microbes and skimming operations. Scientists believe oil is also still in the water but out of sight.