May 1, 2010 - British Petroleum (BP) said it was unlikely or virtually impossible that an accident could occur that would lead to a giant crude oil spill and serious damage to beaches, fish, and mammals.
That was during BP’s 52-page 2009 exploration plan and environmental analysis for the Deepwater Horizon well that exploded on April 20.
A Mississippi –based environmental lawyer and board member for the Gulf Restoration Network said he didn’t see anything in the document that suggests BP addressed the kind of technology needed to control a spill at that dept of water.
The Associated Press reported that at least 1.6 million gallons (6 million liters) of oil have spilled so far since the April 20 explosion that killed 11 workers, according to Coast Guard estimates.
One expert said Friday that oil leaking from 5,000 feet below the surface could actually be much higher and that even more may escape if the drilling equipment continues to erode.
“The sort of occurrence that we've seen on the Deepwater Horizon is clearly unprecedented,” BP spokesman David Nicholas told The Associated Press on Friday. “It's something that we have not experienced before ... a blowout at this depth.”
The government is seeking new ideas for dealing with the growing environmental crisis.
President Barack Obama halted any new offshore drilling projects unless rigs have new safeguards to prevent another disaster.
The problems facing those attempting to clean up the spill are the rough and high winds. They are making it impossible to burn off the oil, to suck it up effectively with skimmer vessels, or to hold it in check with the miles of orange and yellow inflatable booms strung along the coast.
The floating barriers broke loose in the chopping water and waves sent oil water over them.
The spill spans more than 130 miles (200 kilometers) long and 70 miles (110 kilometers) wide. It threatens hundreds of species of wildlife including birds, dolphins, fish, shrimp, oysters, and crabs.
Louisiana closed some fishing grounds and oyster beds because of the risk of oil contamination.
Even though the cause of the explosion is still under investigation more than two dozen lawsuits have been filed claiming it was caused when workers for oil services contractor Halliburton Inc. improperly capped the well, a process known as cementing. Halliburton denied it.
Related:
Gulf of Mexico: President Obama responds to massive oil-spill
Officials respond to magnitude of Gulf Coast oil spill (Photos, Video)
Gulf of Mexico oil spill: BP says some progress made to plug a leak
Source:
Business Week
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