BP speeds up oil spill efforts

BP has announced it is gaining momentum on offshore oil recovery efforts being provided for the Transocean facility in the Gulf of Mexico.

Personal safety is being described as the main objective of the exercise, which will involve a number of oil well control activities in Mississippi Canyon Block 252.

Last week, the platform caught fire and eventually sank leaving nine of Transocean's employees and two contractors presumed dead.

Group chief executive of BP Tony Hayward said: "The safety of the people working offshore is our top priority and the improved weather has created better conditions for our response."

According to Mr Hayward, as the oil is light and thin, the organisation is confident the spill resulting from the incident will be controlled adequately.

BP, which is the lease operator for the structure, will continue to provide equipment services below the surface using remotely-controlled vehicles to monitor wells and prevent a further blow out.