BP Oil Well Cap Removal Delayed by High Seas

BP PLC says high seas on the Gulf of Mexico have delayed operations to raise the piece of equipment from the seabed that failed to prevent the massive oil spill.

The oil giant, in a Twitter posting Monday, did not say how long the delay would be.

Special Section: Disaster in the Gulf

Engineers were supposed to begin the process Monday of removing the temporary cap that stopped more oil from flowing into the sea in July. That was to be a prelude to removing the failed blowout preventer, which is a key piece of evidence in ongoing investigations.

A new blowout preventer will be placed atop the well. After that, the goal is to drill the final 50 feet of a relief well. Engineers will then pump in mud and cement.