BP CEO: chemicals help cut oil flow to surface

NEW ORLEANS (AP) - The chief executive of BP says crews have been able to reduce the amount of oil reaching the surface from a massive underwater gusher with a new approach of using chemicals at the gusher.

CEO Tony Hayward also said BP is not responsible for the Gulf of Mexico drill rig accident that set off the spill but is taking responsibility for the response and cleanup.

Hayward said on the NBC "Today" show Monday that BP is injecting dispersant chemicals into the oil as it pours out of an undersea well. He said it was a new approach and appeared to be having a significant impact on the amount that reaches the spreading surface slick. He did not elaborate.

On ABC's "Good Morning America," Hayward said the drill rig equipment and processes that failed and led to the spill belonged to rig owner Transocean Ltd.