BP pauses effort to stop Gulf oil leak, says it is monitoring unprecedented top kill attempt

These guys are running out of time and options. If this "top kill" doesn't work, where do they go from there? For the sake of the people along the Gulf Coast, I sure hope this does the trick. Even if this method does work, the cleanup effort will take years.

Wouldn't you think there would be a solid plan in place somewhere to deal with a situation like this? Surely there has to have been some worst case scenario planning in case a blow out preventer fails. The depth has much to do with the difficulties, but failing to have a plan in place is just about inexcusable...

From Associated Press

ROBERT, La.

ROBERT, La. (AP) — BP is pausing its unprecedented attempt to plug the Gulf of Mexico oil leak, saying it wants to monitor the effects of the top kill attempt.

BP said Thursday that nothing was going wrong with the procedure that involves force-feeding mud into the blown-out well in an attempt to overcome the oil flowing upward.

BP says it hopes to resume shooting mud into the well Thursday night. Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says he is not surprised that it is taking longer than expected.

The top kill has never been tried at 5,000 feet underwater.

New government estimates show the Gulf disaster has easily eclipsed the Exxon Valdez as the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

ROBERT, La. (AP) — BP is pausing its unprecedented attempt to plug the Gulf of Mexico oil leak, saying it wants to monitor the affects of the top kill attempt.

BP said Thursday that nothing was going wrong with the procedure that which involves force-feeding mud into the blown-out well in an attempt to overcome the oil flowing upward.

BP says it hopes to resume shooting mud into the well Thursday night. Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles says he is not surprised that it is taking longer than expected.

The top kill has never been tried at 5,000 feet underwater.

New government estimates show the Gulf disaster has easily eclipsed the Exxon Valdez as the biggest oil spill in U.S. history.