Well deemed OK; new fix eyed

BP is considering a plan that could permanently seal the oil well in the Gulf of Mexico. Kent Wells, a senior vice president for BP, said the company was studying a "static kill" in which heavy mud would be pumped into the capped well, forcing the oil and gas back down into the reservoir. A decision to proceed could be made in several days. Meanwhile, scientists Monday determined that methane gas seeping from the seafloor nearly two miles from the well was a natural occurrence and not related to a pressure test to assess the well's condition. (Source: New York Times, 07/19/10)