BP's relief well to kill its blown-out Macondo well is ahead of schedule, but is still expected to be complete during the second week of August, the top U.S. oil spill official said on Monday. U.S. experts are trying to refine estimates for how much oil is gushing from the well, but won't have an exact figure until a new metered containment system is installed in July, Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen told reporters on a conference call.

(6/22/2010)