\nengineers are frantically constructing a giant dome<\/a> that could be placed over the leaks to trap the oil, which would then be pumped
\nup to containers on the surface.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
A rig is also on
\nstandby to drill two relief wells that could divert the oil flow to new pipes
\nand storage vessels. But they would take up to three months to drill, and the
\ndome is seen as a better interim bet even though it could take up to four weeks
\nto construct.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Tuesday’s oil
\nburns could present their own environmental problems, sending huge plumes of
\ntoxic black smoke into the sky and leaving mucky residue in the sea, although
\nCoast Guard officials dismissed the threat.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“The
\nclosest shoreline is a very remote area,” said Ben-Iesau. “If any
\nmammals that are seen in the area, we will obviously have to hold off till that
\nthreat is gone.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
“We don’t
\nwant anyone downwind from the smoke,” she said, adding, “there are
\nobviously dangers inherent in these sort of operations working offshore with a
\nlot big vessels.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The
\nEnvironmental Protection Agency was to continuously monitor air quality during
\nthe operations, and officials gave assurances the burning would immediately be
\nhalted should safety standards be breached.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Coast Guard Rear
\nAdmiral Mary Landry, who is leading the government’s response to the disaster,
\nwarned on Tuesday that if BP fails to secure the well, it could end up being
\n“one of the most significant oil spills in U.S. history.”<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The U.S.
\ngovernment has promised a “comprehensive and thorough investigation” into the explosion that sank the platform and pledged
\n“every resource” to help stave off an environmental disaster.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The rig, which
\nBP leases from Houston-based contractor Transocean, went down last Thursday 130
\nmiles southeast of New Orleans, still burning off crude two days after the
\nblast that killed 11 workers.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
The widow of one
\nof the dead has filed a lawsuit accusing the companies that operated the rig—BP, Transocean, and U.S. oil-services behemoth Halliburton—of negligence.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
BP
\nchief executive Tony Hayward said he was confident an environmental disaster
\nwould be averted, acknowledging that strong first-quarter results Tuesday had
\nbeen overshadowed by the “tragic accident.” Landry noted that the
\ndeadly rig accident has not disrupted offshore gulf oil production, which
\naccounts for more than a quarter of the U.S. energy supply.<\/p>\n
Related Links:<\/strong><\/p>\n The politics of the Gulf oil spill<\/a><\/p>\n Cape Wind offshore project approved by Obama admin after nine-year battle<\/a><\/p>\n