U.S. Orders BP to Reopen Gulf Well and Capture Oil After Tests

BP Plc was ordered by U.S. officials to open its sealed Macondo gusher in the Gulf of Mexico and resume capturing the escaping oil after it concludes tests on the well.

BP, based in London, stopped the flow of oil and began testing on July 15 to look for damage. After reviewing more than two days of data, BP found no evidence of hidden leaks, Kent Wells, BP’s senior vice president for exploration and production, said on a conference call with reporters yesterday.