It has been reported that National incident commander Thad Allen, in a letter to a BP official Sunday, referred to seepage detected away from the company's Gulf of Mexico oil well.

Allen, who wasn't specific about the nature of the seepage, also ordered BP Group Chief Managing Director Bob Dudley to keep him in the loop on any developments.

Allen wrote, "Given the current observations from the test, including the detected seep a distance from the well and undetermined anomalies at the wellhead, monitoring of the seabed is of paramount importance during the test period. When seeps are detected, you are directed to marshal resources, quickly investigate and report findings to the government in no more than 4 hours. I direct you to provide me a written procedure for opening the choke valve as quickly as possible without damaging the well should hydrocarbon seepage near the wellhead be confirmed."

It was also reported that he went on to say that as national incident commander, "I must remain abreast of the status of your source control efforts" and directed BP to provide him with a written update within 24 hours "of your intentions going forward."

Allen said, "I remain concerned that all potential options to eliminate the discharge of oil be pursued with utmost speed until I can be assured that no additional oil will spill from the Macondo. Specifically, you must provide me your latest containment plan and schedule in the event that the well integrity test is suspended, the status and completion timelines for all containment options currently under development, and details of any other viable source control options including hydraulic control that you are considering."

Two relief wells being drilled remain the primary strategy for permanently ending the spill "and this effort takes precedence," he said. The relief wells aren't expected to be completed until mid-August.

The (New Orleans) Times-Picayune has reported that officials with the British company were cautious, despite saying the tests of the cap seemed to be going well. (With Inputs from Agencies)