The oil spill surged back in the news today after reports that BP’s deepwater rig is spewing out far more oil than expected.
Jumping from 1,000 barrels-per-day to 5,000 barrels-per-day has a big multiplier effect on the political and environmental consequences of the wreck.
If the leak continues for 53 days, the spill volume will exceed Exxon Valdez.
2001: Transocean builds the Deepwater Horizon, hailed as a “marvel of modern technology.” It is leased by BP through 2013
September 2009: Deepwater drills the deepest oil well in history
April 20, 2010: An underwater explosion… the rig catches fire…
April 20: Nearly 100 workers escape by life boat… another 17 are rescued by helicopter
April 20: 11 workers are presumed dead
The explosion is caused when a blowout preventer fails to close as pressure increased
April 21: BP estimates oil leakage at 1,000 barrels per day
Doug Suttles, BP’s chief operating officer for exploration and production
April 28: Louisiana shrimp farmers file suit against BP
April 29: After discovering a third leak, government experts increase their estimate to 5,000 barrels per day. BP accepts the new estimate
Janet Napolitano
Three stocks take a big hit: BP, Transocean (RIG), and blowout-prevention-part-marker Cameron (CAM)
Wind and ocean currents push the oil spill towards the continental US.
Image: Unified Command Center
Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal declares a state of national emergency. Barack Obama confirms.
At 5,000 bbl per day, it will take only 53 days for the spill to exceed Exxon-Valdez.
Thousands of fish and birds are at risk (note the flock of gulls). Environmentalists are furious
BP is spending $6 million-a-day on cleanup, and they’re just getting started
The most environmental option could be setting the oil on fire!
BP has been unable to close the leak using rovs. The next option involves putting a dome over the well head — which could take weeks — or introducing a second rig to siphon flow — which could take months
A remote-operated underwater vehicle
The oil is 20 miles from Louisiana and will make landfall late Friday (even if containment efforts go well)
Image: NOAA
How does this effect the future of off-shore drilling?
Here’s why we need deep-ocean drilling…
15 Drill Crazy Countries That Are Rapidly Running Out Of Oil >>
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