The executive heading up BP's fight to stop a massive underwater oil spill says he's very optimistic that the Gulf of Mexico will recover.

BP PLC Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said on the CBS "Early Show" that in the worst case scenario, the oil leak that has already lasted a month will continue until early August. That's when a new well currently being drilled could be finished and cap the flow.

Suttles also said the best case scenario is that an effort to plug the well by injecting heavy mud Sunday or Monday will stop the gusher.

Asked if he thinks the Gulf environment will survive the spill, Suttles said he has been told by experts that the Gulf has several factors in its favor. He said that included its large size and the fact that its waters are warm.