Thad Allen Talks 'BP Well Site' in Mobile

Retired National Incident Commander Admiral Thad Allen visited Mobile for a press conference Wednesday, and spoke about future operations at the BP wellhead.

35 mph winds and 12-foot seas at the BP well site have currently delayed efforts to finish drilling at the relief well. BP has suspended all activities at the wellhead until the stormy weather passes through the area.

The drill is still connected, but has been moved back 45 feet from the end of the well.

Boom removal has been rampant in the Gulf to prepare for rough weather, and Thad Allen says replacing boom after the storm will depend on the situation - the decision will come from a particular state, and officials in each area will decide if boom is even "necessary" in those areas.

Commander Thad Allen said it would take crews 96 hours to resume their efforts at the well site after the storm passes.

Pressure tests will also need to be done before the wellhead is sealed with mud and cement.

Allen says there is a slight possibility that oil could be trapped in the riser and could and could shift some of the cement.

"We think it's seated where it should be," said Commander Thad Allen. "But what we wouldn't want to have happen is to start pumping mud and cement into the annulus if the bottom is sealed with cement."

Commander Thad Allen mentioned that one of his main goals is to unify operations throughout the Gulf Coast. He mentioned a new cleanup method currently being used near the Chandelier Islands in Louisiana. It's a type of "underwater snare boom". It is attached to crab nets and submerged to check for oil under the water's surface.

Thad Allen says he wants to take this subsurface boom and make it a universal cleanup tactic. He also said he wants to make sure all cleanup efforts at federal, state, and local levels are working together and stay in good communication with each other.