Obama says Gulf oil rig blowout is so vast it has tested the limits of technology

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Obama says spill has tested limits of technology

WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama says the unprecedented scope of the devastating oil spill in the Gulf has tested the capacity of human technology, but that more oil is being captured from the blown-out well all the time.

Obama said his government has directed the BP oil company to mobilize more equipment and technology. He said that in the coming weeks, stepped-up effort will result in the capture of 90 percent of the oil spewing out of the well.

The president said the completion of a relief well later in the summer is expected to “stop the leak completely.”

In an Oval Office speech Tuesday, Obama also defended his government’s response since the oil rig exploded in April. He said he assembled some of the nation’s best scientists and engineers.