The incoming CEO of BP, Robert Dudley, who was recently named to take over from much-maligned current CEO, Tony Hayward, has said the company will begin scaling back its oil containment efforts as the leak appears to be completely sealed.

No new oil has leaked into the Gulf of Mexico for two weeks now, giving BP hope that the worst of the disaster may be over. However, Dudley promised Gulf residents that the oil giant would continue to support them and honor its compensation promises in the long-term.

“We’ve had some good news on the oil...but that doesn't mean we’re done. We’ll be here for years,” Dudley told reporters in the US state of Mississippi, marking his first trip to the Gulf since the BP Board of Directors voted for him to replace Hayward.

At the same press conference, Dudley also confirmed that the static kill operation had been postponed until Tuesday, a day later than planned.

Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, the US government’s point man on the crisis, told the media the delay was due to sediment and debris gathered around the well-head during a recent storm, which has to be cleared away.

The static kill procedure is the final step in BP’s project to close, once and for all, its leaking oil well, which has caused vast devastation to the sensitive ecosystems of the region and the economic stability of the Gulf States.

The operation involves the pumping of mud and cement into the well via the cap which was installed on July 15th, it is hoped that this will shut down the well entirely.