BP might try new technique to break up oil spewing from blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico

BP: Breaking up oil underwater may be tried

NEW ORLEANS — BP officials say they are hoping to try an unusual technique to stop the flow of oil from a blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP PLC chief operating officer Doug Suttles says the company is studying whether to use chemicals to break up the oil under water.

The company has been reviewing research on the technique which has been used before, but never at these depths. The well is almost a mile underwater off the Louisiana shore.

He says the company is bringing the chemical to the site of massive spill and already has a giant reel of tubing in place.

If approved, work could start tonight.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry called it “a novel, absolutely novel idea.”

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

NEW ORLEANS (AP) — BP officials say they are hoping to try an unusual technique to stop the flow of oil from a blown-out well in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP PLC chief operating officer Doug Suttles says the company is studying whether to use chemicals to break up the oil under water.

The company has been reviewing research on the technique which has been used before, but never at these depths. The well is almost a mile underwater off the Louisiana shore.

He says the company is bringing the chemical to the site of massive spill and already has a giant reel of tubing in place.

If approved, work could start tonight.

U.S. Coast Guard Rear Adm. Mary Landry called it “a novel, absolutely novel idea.”