Lower Marine Riser Package (LMRP)

BP lastest plan plans is to cut away the existing, damaged riser at the head of the pipe outlet on the sea floor and deploy a cap called a lower marine riser package (LMRP). BP will cut with super sheers that weigh 46,000 pounds and resemble a giant garden tool. The company will also use a powerful diamond-edged cutter the resembles a deli slicer to try to make a clean cut above the blowout preventer, then will lower a cap over it with a rubber seal.

BP continues to drill two relief wells as part of a longer term plan to control the leak. The first relief well has reached a depth of 12,090 feet, while the second relief well was at 8,576 feet (June 1, 2010). The wells are expected to be completed in August. (msnbc, 6/1/2010)