英国石油准备使用新方法堵住漏油

BP is beginning preparations for a new attempt to curb the massive spill from its leaking well in the Gulf of Mexico.

英国石油公司正计划采用新方法堵住墨西哥湾海地油井。

The firm plans to lower a containment cap over the well in the hope that most of the oil can be piped to the surface.

The attempt - in which undersea robots will cut a pipe and position the device - could initially increase the flow and success is not guaranteed（担保） , BP has said.

The fresh tactic（策略，战略） follows the failure of BP's so-called "top kill" bid to stem the leak by pumping mud into the well.

It comes a day after White House energy adviser Carol Browner said the spill was the worst environmental disaster the US had ever faced.

She also said the US was "prepared for the worst scenario（情节，方案） " that the leak might not be stopped before August.

Meanwhile, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration warned that winds forecast later this week could move the spill towards the Mississippi and Alabama coasts, which have been less badly affected than Louisiana's shores.

The hurricane season is also due to begin on Tuesday, raising fears that high winds may whip the spill on to the nation's shores at a greater rate.

At least 20 million gallons (76 million litres) have now spilled into the Gulf, affecting more than 70 miles (110km) of Louisiana's coastline.

Reuters news agency reported that Attorney General Eric Holder is to visit the affected region on Tuesday to see the damage for the first time.

He is expected to meet legal officials from Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi, prompting speculation over what future legal action may be faced by BP and other firms involved.

Eleven rig workers died when the Deepwater Horizon rig exploded and sank six weeks ago.