By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-924249.mp3
New Orleans, La. – National Incident Commander Thad Allen says pressure readings indicate the drill has broken through into to the well that spewed more than 200 million barrels of oil into the Gulf. He says it appears there is no connection between the oil reservoir under the seafloor and the outer casing of the well. That means the next step will be pumping more mud and cement into the broken system from the bottom. The gusher of oil has been cut off since July. Mud and cement were pumped down into the well last month from surface ships. Allen has insisted he will not declare the well is dead until the bottom kill is complete.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.