Thursday, the National Hurricane Center said that there is a 70% chance that a potential tropical storm will form into a tropical cyclone, and may hit the central Gulf area in the next two days. Thursday, BP is preparing to shut down operations in the Gulf of Mexico where oil skimming and relief well drilling is taking place.
The photo on the left shows the current direction that the potential tropical storm may take, and it is headed toward the Texas and Louisiana coast line. BP said that it is possible they will have to shut down operations for up to two weeks if the storm continues on course. BP said that they may also be without underwater video coverage of the oil well for part of that time, according to ABC News.
Wednesday, Coast Guard Adm. Allen said that they were discussing whether to open the capping stack or leave it closed, and the storm may delay work in the Gulf of Mexico for 10 days to 2 weeks. He said that if the leak is unmonitored, an unseen major leak would cause serious damage to the wellhead and endanger future containment efforts.
Friday, BP was able to completely stop the oil spill with the new containment cap and said that they were conducting a 48 hour test. Saturday, BP announced that the containment cap may hold the oil for a longer period. For more on that story, click here.
Thursday, a BP executive gave the most positive statement to date about the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and when they think it will be contained. BP managing director Bob Dudley told the Wall Street Journal, "In a perfect world with no interruptions, it's possible to be ready to stop the well between July 20 and July 27." For more on that story, click here.
A US Navy blimp will be used in the Gulf of Mexico to help detect where the oil is on the surface of the water. The 178-foot long blimp will help to reduce fuel costs, and can stay in the air longer than the airplanes that are currently doing the job. For more on that story, click here.
The world’s largest oil skimmer was in the Gulf for testing and assigned a 25 square mile area to separate oil from the water; the A Whaler has the capacity to skim 21 millions of gallons of oil per day. Results from weekend testing were inconclusive because of rough waters in the Gulf, and will be extended for the next few days. If approved, BP intends to lease the Taiwanese vessel to help with cleanup in the Gulf. The vessel was built this year and it is twice as long as the Titanic. For more information on the vessel, click here.
To see incredible photos of the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, click here.
To see photos taken recently of the oil spill that hit the Louisiana coastline and the wildlife it has affected, click here.
Scientists from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) met with BP to discuss the chemicals that are being used to break up the oil spill that sits on top of the water in the Gulf of Mexico. Thursday, the EPA released its findings on the toxicity testing on eight dispersants used in the Gulf. The findings showed that the chemicals placed in the water without oil did not disrupt marine life, but more tests are needed to show what happens when the chemicals are mixed with oil. For more on that story, click here.
The state of Louisiana asked BP to pay for the mental health costs of residents in the state because of the oil spill, but BP isn’t paying. A suicide occurred because of the oil spill and loss of income occurred in Louisiana. Captain William Allen Kruse committed suicide, after his life and lifestyle changed dramatically because of oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. For more on his story, click here.
Actor Kevin Costner has invested about $26 million into his Ocean Therapy Solutions machine, and six of the machines were sent to the Gulf for testing. BP ordered 32 more machines that recycle water to separate the oil. For more information on this story, click here.
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Source: ABC News and the Huffington Post
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