BP executive strikes optimistic note on time needed to significantly reduce oil flow

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BP exec strikes optimistic note on oil timeline

GULF SHORES, Ala. — A top BP executive says the company hopes to be capturing virtually all the oil leaking from the Gulf floor soon.

Chief operating officer Doug Suttles told The Associated Press on Tuesday in Gulf Shores, Ala., that the flow should decrease to “a relative trickle” soon.

BP later sought to clarify his comments. It says that even though the company is optimistic it can make measurable progress in the next week in reducing the flow. And it says it will take more time to reach the point that the spill amounts to a trickle.

Suttles says BP hopes to have an improved containment system operating by Monday or Tuesday. Those are the same days President Barack Obama plans to visit the region.