With blowout preventer failed, BP will place rectangular containment boxes over Gulf oil spill

BP builds containment boxes to place over spill

PORT FOURCHON, La. — BP PLC will place huge containment boxes over the well as the next available short-term strategy in fighting the Gulf oil spill.

BP spokesman Steve Rinehart said Sunday Wild Well Control is building three rectangular boxes that can be lowered onto each of the three leaks. The work is being conducted in Port Fourchon, La.

The concrete-and-steel chambers could be in place at the leak site in six to eight days.

Crews have had little success stemming the flow from the ruptured well on the sea floor off Louisiana or removing oil from the surface by skimming it, burning it or dispersing it with chemicals.

The blowout preventer typically activates after a blast or other event to cut off any oil that may spill. But Rinehart says the preventer failed.