Static Kill Being Closely Monitored

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – Engineers will be closely watching pressure readings as they slowly pump mud into the well from surface ships. Readings should indicate if there's a leak in the well or somewhere along its casing. BP hopes the well can withstand the pressure needed to push the oil back underground. Cement would cap it off while a relief well closes in on penetrating the broken well from the bottom. Retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen says the well won't be considered dead until the relief well operation is complete later this month.
For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.