BP says encouraged as first run of Gulf well cap nears 48 hours with no sign of any new leak

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BP: No evidence of new leaks in capped well

NEW ORLEANS — BP says it’s encouraged as it nears the end of the experimental 48-hour run of its new cap on the busted well in the Gulf of Mexico.

Kent Wells, a BP PLC vice president, said on a Saturday morning conference call there were no signs any new leaks had sprung in the well since the cap choked the flow of oil Thursday.

Wells said there has been no decision yet on whether engineers will reopen the cap and let oil back into the water when the test period ends later Saturday.

Wells said pressure inside the cap was slightly higher than the last level they announced late Friday. Rising pressure is a good sign, and falling pressure would indicate a new leak.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — BP says it’s encouraged as it nears the end of the experimental 48-hour run of its new cap on the busted Gulf of Mexico

Kent Wells, a BP PLC vice president, said on a Saturday morning conference call there were no signs any new leaks had sprung in the well since the cap choked the flow of oil Thursday.

Wells said there has been no decision yet on whether they will reopen the cap and let oil back into the water when the test period ends later Saturday.

Wells said pressure inside the cap was slightly above the last level they announced late Friday. Rising pressure is a good sign, and falling pressure would indicate a new leak.