BP Says Testing Process On Cap Should Begin 'Soon'

BP says it hopes to restart the testing process on the cap it's put on top of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill now that a leak in the machinery has been fixed.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) β€” BP says it hopes to restart the testing process on the cap it's put on top of the Gulf of Mexico oil spill now that a leak in the machinery has been fixed.

Kent Wells, a senior vice president in the company, said at a Thursday morning news briefing that the testing of the cap's capabilities could begin later in the day.

A number of steps have to be carried out before then, including checking the seals on the equipment and moving robotic submersibles back into proper position.

The work was interrupted after a leak was discovered late Wednesday in a line that can funnel oil up to a ship if necessary.

The cap is a stopgap measure designed to keep the oil in the well or funnel it to ships until the relief well is done.

More