BP has said that a containment dome officials hope will trap oil leaking into the Gulf of Mexico was lowered Thursday to the seabed 5,000 feet below the surface.

CNN quoted BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles as saying, "If all goes according to plan, we should begin the process of processing the fluid and stop the spilling to the sea on Monday. It's very complex, and it will likely have challenges along the way."

It was also reported that the main leak is responsible for 85 percent of the oil leaking into the Gulf, estimated at 5,000 barrels per day. If the plan works, BP will send down another dome to contain a secondary leak.

The news reports further noted that the Deepwater Horizon oil rig exploded April 20 and sank two days later, leaving 11 workers presumed dead. An oil slick has been spreading across the Gulf for more than two weeks, and oil began reaching barrier islands Thursday. (With Inputs from Agencies)