BP trying to seal smallest of 3 leaks leak at well spewing oil into the Gulf

BP trying to seal 1 leak at well in the Gulf

NEW ORLEANS — BP is trying to cap one of three leaks at a mile-deep well spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico in a bid to make it easier to shut down the gusher off the Louisiana coast.

Coast Guard spokesman Brandon Blackwell said the company did a “clean cut” overnight on the location in a pipe that is leaking the smallest amount of oil.

BP spokesman Steve Rinehart said an underwater robot was being used in an attempt to put a sleeve and valve over the leak. So far, he said, the effort had not yet proved successful.

Federal officials have said they hoped closing off two of the smaller leaks may make it easier to place a single concrete-and-steel container over the wreck to capture all the leaking oil.