Adm. Allen: High seas could delay work to remove blowout preventer longer than expected

Waves hamper raising key equipment in oil spill

MYRTLE GROVE, La. — The federal government’s point man on the Gulf oil disaster says work to remove the 300-ton piece of equipment that failed to stop the massive oil spill could be delayed until the weekend or longer because of rough seas.

Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Tuesday that seas were 6 feet or higher and have to be closer to 4 feet for the work to be done safely.

The process of removing the blowout preventer involves taking off the cap that stopped oil from gushing in mid-July. Removing the failed blowout preventer and replacing it with a new one would clear the way for completion of a relief well and the final, permanent plugging of the well with mud and cement from the bottom.

Associated Press writer Harry Weber contributed to this story from Atlanta.