An estimated 6 million gallons of oil has spread in the Gulf of Mexico, and more gush out of the damaged well each day. Senate environmental committee head Barbara Boxer has requested the Justice Department to assess BP’s readiness in preventing the oil spill. U.S Interior Secretary Ken Salazar is doubtful whether BP knows what it is doing, and if not they have to be pulled off. BP Chief Executive Tony Hayward had expressed dissatisfaction on the company’s month-long containment efforts.
For one, the amount of oil extracted using the mile-long tube has decreased from 92,400 gallons down to only 57, 120 gallons sucked up in a day, reports the Associated Press, and it changes overtime. WSJ indicates the decline from 5,000 barrels to 1,360 barrels a day. WSJ cites research firm ODS-Petrodata saying that BP executives, scientists, and government officials are learning in progress despite their already month-long efforts.
Second, BP has started spraying 6,000 gallons of chemical Corexit 950 into the gulf to disperse the oil, but its environmental effect is being questioned. There has not been sufficient studies yet regarding dispersant said Nancy Kinner, professor, University of New Hampshire, but BP continues to use it because there would be other environmental concerns for alternatives and they cannot provide them.
Third, instruments used, such as environmental maps, are reportedly outdated. It would cost $11 million to upgrade them. Environmental maps trace areas that need to be protected from oil spill. Also, plastic piping or “booms” to divert oil flow are lacking.
It is like fighting an all-out war, said Coast Guard Commandant Thad Allen. BP has the expertise in stopping the spill, and what the rest could do is to make sure it will happen, he emphasized.
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