The oil flow stopped as the last of three valves on a large capping stack was closed at around 2:25 p.m. ET Thursday. BP engineers are watching the operation closely to see whether any oil will begin leaking again.
“It is good to see no oil going into the Gulf of Mexico,” said senior vice president Kent Wells, according to the National Post. But he cautioned: “We are just starting the test.”
In a press release, BP was cautious, saying, “The sealing cap system never before has been deployed at these depths or under these conditions, and its efficiency and ability to contain the oil and gas cannot be assured.”
BP also said as a precaution, operations on the two relief wells have been temporarily stopped while the test is underway. “The relief wells remain the sole means to permanently seal and isolate the well.”
BP stocks soared in light of the news. Shares rose 10 percent, reaching $39.43, but they are still below the $60.48 they were worth on April 20 when a BP-operated rig exploded and subsequently sank.
