Thad Allen Expresses Concerns Over Relief Well

Philip Bunnell - Talk Radio News Service

A temporary cap may now be in place, but National Incident Commander, Retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen said Friday that debris at the bottom of a relief well could delay the planned ‘static kill’ to shut off the Deepwater Horizon well once and for all.

Allen reiterated his and BP’s cleanup crews determination to “see this thing through to the finish,” and that he would work with local authorities to determine the standards that crews will work under when cleaning up beaches affected by the Gulf oil spill.

However, the debris, which found its way into the bottom of the relief well due to storms, has Allen cautious.  “The greatest concern to us right now is the relief well,” he said. Only once the debris is cleared, “that’s when we can truly end this threat to the environment in the Gulf.”

The debris could push back the date officials want to conduct the static kill to Monday or Tuesday, said Allen.