MIAMI (Reuters) - BP's relief well is closing in slowly on the below-seabed shaft of the blown-out Gulf of Mexico oil well and is expected to intercept it and commence the "bottom kill" operation before the end of this week, the U.S. government's oil spill response chief said on Monday.
Retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said authorities were watching closely a weather system moving east over Florida toward the Gulf of Mexico, which depending on its strength might affect the timing of the "bottom kill" operation.
(Reporting by Pascal Fletcher)
