BP cap remains as tests check for new oil leaks

A CAP on BP’s ruptured well in the Gulf of Mexico remained in place yesterday while further tests are carried out to check for new leaks.

The discovery of oil seeping near the surface and a possible leak of methane gas raised fears that oil would need to be piped to the surface in order to ease pressure on the well.

The US government on Sunday ordered BP to submit a plan to reopen the capped well but later gave it an extra 24 hours to step up monitoring.