At last, BP workers in Houston and around the world have something to smile about.
On day 86, the oil giant announced that the oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico has been plugged. Technically, it's 85 days, 16 hours and 25 minutes after the first report of the April 26 explosion. But who's counting?
A cap was put in place on Monday, but government officials delayed closing the valves until today because they feared the buildup of pressure would cause additional leaks. A minor leak was detected Wednesday night and repaired.
The company is by no means out of the woods yet, however. Engineers will monitor pressure readings to make sure the cap will hold without blowing a new leak. And they will continue to drill relief wells and set a permanent cap, which will likely take several weeks.
But for the first time in 85 days, 16 hours and 25 minutes, the news was good.
The building at 4911 will be torn down for the new greenspace. Holland Lodge No. 1, A.F. & A.M./Facebook