Breaking; BP refines plans for capturing leaking Gulf oil.

NEW ORLEANS – BP PLC says a new system to trap oil gushing from a well in the Gulf of Mexico should be complete by mid-July.

BP officials said Saturday the new design meant to better withstand the force of hurricanes could capture nearly 2.9 million gallons of oil daily when fully built.

It would require putting a new containment cap with a tighter seal over a leaking well that scientists say has shot about 40 million to 109 million gallons of oil in the ocean.

Pipes and hoses would carry that oil from the cap to one of two risers floating about 300 feet beneath the ocean. The risers are deep enough that they should escape hurricane damage but shallow enough so that ships can easily reconnect to the flow.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below.

[link to news.yahoo.com]