Washington, 23 July (Argus) — BP began preparing to move vessels away from the site of its Macondo well in the US Gulf of Mexico last night because of potential adverse weather associated with tropical storm Bonnie, US national incident commander Thad Allen said.

Moving the flotilla off site could delay for 10-12 days the first of two relief wells intended to permanently plug the well, site of a massive oil spill after the rig drilling it caught fire and sank in April, BP had said yesterday. Though BP halted the spill on 15 July with a temporary cap on the sea floor, the relief well had been expected to intercept the original one by the end of July, then plug it with mud and cement.

BP previously stopped drilling the two relief wells and temporarily plugged them in anticipation of the storm.

The duration of the suspension will depend on the weather, BP said. Allen, overseeing the response for the government, said he has directed the company to ensure that vessels overseeing the use of remotely operated vehicles are the last to leave and first to return to maximize monitoring of the well.

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