By HARRY R. WEBER and GREG BLUESTEIN
Associated Press Writers
ON THE GULF OF MEXICO (AP) — BP claimed a key victory Wednesday in the effort to plug its blown-out well as the government said much of the spilled oil is gone — though what’s left is still at least quadruple the amount that poured from the Exxon Valdez.
BP PLC reached what it called a significant milestone overnight when mud that was forced down the well held back the flow of crude. That means the procedure known as a “static kill” appears to be working, though crews now must decide whether to follow it up with cement.
Federal officials won’t declare complete victory until they pump in mud and then cement from the bottom of the well, and that won’t happen for several weeks.
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