Via CNN.com:
Thursday on a special “AC360°:” Three fishermen were the first to arrive on the scene after the explosion in the Gulf. They’ll share never-before-seen photos and video at 10 p.m. ET Thursday on CNN.
A highly anticipated test designed to measure pressure within BP’s ruptured Gulf of Mexico oil well began Thursday after a delay caused by leaking equipment.
A short time later, BP Senior Vice President Kent Wells announced that for the first time in months, no oil was flowing into the Gulf. This was part of the test, as BP measures pressure in the well to see how it’s holding. Higher pressure readings mean the well is containing the oil, while lower pressure means some is leaking out.
The data is being particularly closely scrutinized at six-hour intervals, so a key time will occur later Thursday night, after the first six hours.
The “well integrity” test could end after six hours, if the results are disappointing. But it could go on for 48 hours. The longer it goes, the better indications are that the well is holding with a custom-made sealing cap.
BP’s stock jumped on word that the oil flow had been cut off, as part of the test. The stock rose $2.74 a share, more than 7 percent, to close at $38.92.
