By Eileen Fleming
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wwno/local-wwno-913085.mp3
New Orleans, La. – BP Vice President Kent Wells says the new containment cap shut off the oil flow around mid-afternoon.
"As of that time there is no flow of oil going into the Gulf of Mexico. So obviously this is an encouraging point in time. Remember this is the start of our test."
He says pressure readings from the cap are expected to reveal any signs of oil leaking under the seabed from the blown-out well. If breaks are detected, the cap will be reopened so oil won't be pushed out of those openings and make the spill worse. Containment vessels are standing by to funnel oil if values on the cap need to be reopened. Wells says he doesn't want to give people a false sense of excitement that the crisis is over. Testing will continue over the next two days.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.