BP Plugs Gulf Relief Well as Storm Approaches

"BP has ceased drilling its relief well and put a plug in it because of the possibility that a tropical disturbance in the Caribbean could complicate operations, senior vice president Kent Wells said in a briefing this afternoon.

The 'storm packer' is located 300 feet below the bottom of the blow-out preventer on the relief well and was placed so that 'nothing can flow up or down beyond the plug,' Wells said."

Kimberly Quillen reports for the New Orleans Times-Picayune July 21, 2010