(Thumbnail image: BP/The New York Times)

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It’s been almost 90 days since the start of the BP oil leak and now an end could possibly be in sight. BP says it’s testing a new procedure that would essentially choke the flow of oil to a stop. But some wonder whether the procedure is worth the risks.

We’re looking at perspectives from MSNBC, The LA Times, CNN, and The Huffington Post.

If the test works, BP’s cap procedure would hold oil inside of well machinery, stopping the flow of oil similar to a stopper.  On MSNBC a former oil executive briefly explains how BP’s latest procedure should work.

“The valve that’s open now is the kill line, which is a full bore line. I believe they are three inches in diameter. The choke line that’s on the right side of the stack in the pictures that I've been looking at is one that’s variable. You can close it and open it and it opens and closes the size of the orifice that the oil flows through and allows to close the well gradually rather than slamming it shut.”

But as a writer for the L.A. Times points out, there are still some risks involved with BP’s latest effort.

“The test, which requires temporarily sealing off the well at the top, will gauge the pressure inside... Low pressure may indicate that the well is leaking oil from other locations. If that is the case, the cap could exacerbate the flow and, in the worst-case scenario, push oil to the sea floor, creating new surface leaks.”

A reporter for CNN counters, saying BP already has a backup plan in place.

“While they’re pursuing this cap, they’ve also brought into the area enough equipment that they’ll be able to hook up a lot of collection devices on the surface, that will collect more oil, have the capacity to collect more oil than that well is actually leaking right now. So they’re at a point where they’re either going to collect all that oil coming out or stop it completely.”

But a writer for the Huffington Post isn’t buying it, and asks why BP is attempting new procedures when the relief well is within feet of completion.

“In the oil and gas business, you always mitigate risk.  You never undertake an operation that introduces more risk.  You never intentionally put more stress on equipment than for which it is designed.  If you know you have damage, or an uncertain condition, you don't risk making it worse.”

So what do you think? Will BP’s latest attempt prove successful?

WRITER: Maurice Scarborough