By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-913863.mp3
New Orleans, La. – Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says the extra day allows BP to gather pressure readings and other information critical to keeping the cap shut and the relief well on schedule. He says there's still no decision on allowing a static kill, a process which involves pouring heavy mud into the well.
But BP vice president Kent Wells says there's no doubt the company wants to give it a try.
"If it's approved to do so, it's a 100 percent chance we'll go ahead with it. I think we'll have covered all of the risk analysis, all of the issues with the procedures."
An earlier version called a "top kill" didn't work. BP says oil is no longer pushing out, so the mud has a better chance of tapping it down. Allen says keeping the cap closed could also kill chances of knowing exactly how much oil has polluted the water.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.