Containment dome lowered at oil leak site

CNN Wire Staff

[cnn-photo-caption image=http://i.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/US/05/07/gulf.oil.spill/t1larg.domeinwater.uscg.jp caption="The four-story oil containment dome made its way beneath the Gulf of Mexico early Friday to capture leaking oil." width=300 height=169]

A massive dome began its descent into the Gulf of Mexico to cap a gushing oil leak about 5,000 feet below the surface, a BP official said Friday.

The arduous process of lowering the four-story containment dome and getting it in place is expected to continue into the weekend. The technique has never been attempted at the depth of the leak spewing from the sunken oil rig, officials said.

"If all goes according to plan by early next week, we hope to make it operational," said Doug Suttles, chief operating officer of BP. "As we always do, though, we stress this has never been done before. We'll likely encounter numerous challenges, but we'll remain committed to make it work."

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