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BP starts pouring cement into its undersea well

By the CNN Wire Staff
STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Cement is being poured into the well from the top
  • The effort to plug the well at the bottom continues

New Orleans, Louisiana (CNN) -- BP began pouring cement into the undersea well in the Gulf of Mexico at 9:15 a.m. as part of the "static kill" procedure, the company said Thursday.

National Incident Commander Thad Allen gave approval to the process Wednesday.

BP said "the aim of the procedure is to assist with the strategy to kill and isolate the well" and the complementary relief well operation, which is designed to seal off the well from the bottom, is ongoing.