Top Kill Appears To Be Working

By Eileen Fleming

New Orleans, La. – BP executive Doug Suttles says it could be a day or so before it's clear that the process called a top kill' plugs the leak.

"We're taking great care to make sure that we actually complete this job successfully and we will not be rushed by that. It's too early to know if it's going to be successful."

He says diagnostic readings of pressure levels taken at the well are being carefully monitored. Underwater video is showing mud flowing out of the broken pipe. But Suttles says that's to be expected, and so far it appears the heavy compound being forced into two pipelines has not blasted any new holes.

For NPR News, I'm Eileen Fleming in New Orleans.