Washington (CNN) -- The government's point man for the Gulf of Mexico oil spill response said Thursday that the cementing phase of the "static kill" operation to permanently seal the well "is not the end" of the process, "but it will virtually assure us there's no chance of oil leaking into the environment".
"We will have created a significant milestone and made a major step forward probably by tomorrow when the cementing is done," retired Coast Guard Adm. Thad Allen told reporters. "I think we can all breathe a little easier regarding the potential we'll have oil in the Gulf ever again. But, we need to ensure the people of the Gulf and the people of the United States that this thing is properly finished and that will be through the bottom".
BP began pouring cement into its undersea well in the Gulf of Mexico at 9:15 a.m. as part of the "static kill" procedure to permanently seal it, the company said Thursday. Allen had given his 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.
Meanwhile, some residents along the Gulf coast expressed guarded optimism Thursday about BP's efforts and the government reports that about 74 percent of the oil spilled into the Gulf since April has been cleaned up. CNN
