'Static Kill' works out; BP, Obama seem relieved

Washington, Aug 5: The intitial success of 'static kill' has prompted the United States authorities to give a nod to British Petroleum (BP) to begin cementing the well.

Prepared to begin cementing the well on Thursday, Aug 5, BP said, "The aim of the procedure is to assist with the strategy to kill and isolate the well, and will complement the upcoming relief well operation."

On Wednesday, Aug 4 BP said it was close to plugging the leak as heavy drilling mud injected into well was proving to be an effective way of put an end to the flow.

This "significant milestone", as BP has termed it, has also given the White House some relief.

"The long battle to stop the leak and contain the oil is finally close to coming to an end," said President Barack Obama.

While BP has suffered the reduction of its market value to half, the president's approval ratings have been hurt by public discontent over his administration's handling of the spill in the Gulf of Mexico.

OneIndia News