Hurricane Alex disrupts BP clean-up operation

Hopes that BP could complete the relief well and halt the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of schedule were receding yesterday as the first hurricane of the season began to disrupt the company's clean-up operation.

Meteorologists had predicted that Hurricane Alex would steer clear of the oil spill site, but government officials confirmed yesterday that high winds and waves meant that efforts to tackle the oil spill through controlled burning, offshore booms and the spraying of oil dispersant were now on hold.

Work was continuing at the oil spill site, but there are fears that rough weather could delay plans to increase the amount of oil captured by BP's containment device.

The hurricane comes just days after reports suggested that BP may complete the two relief wells that should finally cap the leak before the end of July. BP has said that it is still aiming to complete the relief wells by early August, but reports in The Sunday Times citing sources close to the project suggested the work was ahead of schedule.

Meanwhile, a US appeal court yesterday said that oral arguments relating to the Obama administration's request that a ruling lifting its moratorium on deepwater drilling be suspended would be heard on 8 July.

Last week, a federal judge overturned the six-month ban on drilling, arguing that it was arbitrary and must be lifted while a case to determine the legality of the moratorium is heard.

The US Department of the Interior immediately appealed the decision, insisting that it would be irresponsible to lift the ban until the cause of the BP spill is understood.