B.P. had indicated that it could stem the flow of oil on Tuesday by attempting a procedure known as a top kill, in which heavy fluid would be pumped into the well. But on Monday morning the company’s chief operating officer said the procedure would be delayed until Wednesday.
At the same time, BP was locked in a tense standoff with the Environmental Protection Agency, which had ordered the company to end its use of a toxic chemical dispersant called Corexit by Sunday.
The oil giant continued spraying the chemical on Monday, despite the E.P.A.’s demand that it use a less toxic dispersant to break up the oil. The company told the agency that no better alternative was available.
Full story: BP Kept Using Toxic Chemical in Gulf After E.P.A. Deadline – NYTimes.com