AUBURN — Instead of visiting for a third audit, BP oil company agreed to schedule an in-ocean test of a local company's oil containment booms next week.

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Packgen, a company based in Maine, has 80,000 feet of boom stored in a warehouse in Lewiston, a company officials said. Some of it has been sent to Alabama for testing by oil company giant BP for possible use in soaking up oil in the Gulf of Mexico.

BP's approval could mean orders to help with the disaster in the Gulf of Mexico, Packgen President John Lapoint III said.

He's got 70,000 to 80,000 feet of boom in stock and raw material to make a half-million feet more.

"We sent 600 feet of boom last night," he said Tuesday morning.

That boom is headed by truck to Theodore, Ala., where it will be tested in the water on Monday.

"Hopefully we will hear that day or the following day whether they approve the boom," Lapoint said. "We're cautiously optimistic."

Two senior Packgen engineers will accompany BP as part of the test, answering questions, Lapoint said, and explaining why his boom represents a better option.

BP's approval would free the way for both BP and other environmental service companies to place orders. Lapoint said there's no way to know what sort of demand to expect.

Packgen has been active for the past month bringing itself to BP's attention, getting help from Gov. John Baldacci and U.S. Sens. Olympia Snowe and Susan Collins.

kskelton@sunjournal.com