BP’s Relief Well Delayed on Risk of New Oil Release

BP Plc’s relief well and bottom-kill procedure, aimed at permanently plugging its Gulf of Mexico Macondo well, is suspended until the company completes an analysis of complications that might result in a new oil leak.

BP determined that 1,000 barrels of oil remain trapped in the well after cement was pumped in from the top earlier this month. Now U.S. officials fear some of that could be released, or new leaks may form, when the company pumps in more mud and cement into the bottom of the well for the final plug.