NEW ORLEANS — Work on a new cap for the gushing oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico has outpaced officials’ expectations so far, with robotic submarines completing most of the removal work necessary on the broken well.
Overnight, a top flange on the leaking well was removed.
That equipment has to make way for a new flange spool, a piece that will connect the new cap to the well.
The old cap, which allowed some oil to keep pouring into the Gulf, came off Saturday.
That allowed millions of litres of oil to pour almost unimpeded into the water, but officials say the new cap will form a perfect seal.
British Petroleum and the coast guard hope the work can be done within three to six days.