BP begins pumping cement to seal Gulf oil well

HOUSTON - British oil giant BP began pumping cement into its damaged oil well in the Gulf of Mexico on Thursday as part of the "static kill" procedure to seal the well for good.

"All operations are being carried out with the guidance and approval of the National Incident Commander and other government officials," BP said in a statement.

US Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, who is tasked to handle the oil spill, reportedly gave BP the green light to cement the well Wednesday.

BP said "the aim of the procedure is to assist with the strategy to kill and isolate the well" and that the procedure will complement the ongoing relief well operation, which is expected to be completed by mid-August.

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It could take hours to pour cement to fill the well and hours more for the cement to dry, some experts said.

The "static kill" is the biggest development in BP's 100-day plus spill ordeal since it placed a tight-fitting cap over the blown-out well in mid-July, stopping oil from flowing into the ocean for the first time after a deadly rig blast in late April opened the underwater gusher.

Both Allen and BP officials said relief wells being drilled are the "answer" to permanently sealing the ruptured well. The "static kill" would be followed by a "bottom kill" after a relief well intercepts the underwater gusher.