Gulf of Mexico oil leak described as ‘worst US environment disaster’
May 31st, 2010 - 2:15 pm ICT by ANILondon, May 31 (ANI): British Petroleum (BP’s) failure to plug the Gulf of Mexico oil spill has led American officials and the local community to describe it as the worst environmental disaster in US history.
The BBC quoted White House energy adviser Carol Browner, as saying that the US was “prepared for the worst scenario” that the leak might not be stopped before August.
BP is to try a new tactic after its latest failure to halt the leak, but says there is no guarantee of success.
BP chief operating officer Doug Suttles said even if it worked it would only halt a majority of the spill.
At least 20 million gallons have now spilled into the Gulf of Mexico, affecting more than 70 miles (110km) of Louisiana’s coastline.
Eleven rig workers died when the Deepwater Horizon exploded and sank nearly six weeks ago.
Browner said she hoped the latest plan would work, but admitted it would be a temporary measure and that a relief well currently being drilled might turn out to be the permanent solution.
Browner said BP had been told to drill another relief well in case the first did not work.
The White House said the president had been informed that the flow rate could increase by as much as 20 percent until the containment device was applied over the leak. (ANI)
- US allows BP to drill new Gulf deepwater wells - Oct 22, 2011
- Mexico oil spill: US prepares for worst - May 31, 2010
- White House says clean-up resources in the Gulf will be tripled - May 31, 2010
- US oil spill could reach Louisiana shore by Friday - Apr 29, 2010
- BP says top kill operation continues, spill costs hit $930M - May 29, 2010
- US terms reports of BP resuming Gulf of Mexico drilling as 'misconception' - Apr 05, 2011
- BP Has Not Bequeathed Accurate Data - May 21, 2010
- Obama arrives in Gulf as top-kill effort continues - May 28, 2010
- "Poor safety culture" onboard Deepwater Horizon led to last year's massive Gulf oil spill - Apr 23, 2011
- BP places 'top cap' over leak - Jun 06, 2010
- US to lease out Gulf of Mexico chunk for oil drilling - Jan 27, 2012
- Obama surveys Gulf as BP's top-kill effort continues - May 29, 2010
- US Coast Guard says Gulf oil spill to make landfall Friday - Apr 30, 2010
- Louisiana Governor Jindal declares state of emergency due to oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico - Apr 30, 2010
- Underwater Vehicles Used To Obstruct Rig Oil Leak - Apr 27, 2010
Tags: american officials, bp, british petroleum, carol browner, chief operating officer, coastline, containment, deepwater, energy adviser, flow rate, gulf of mexico, gulf of mexico oil, gulf of mexico oil spill, local community, oil leak, permanent solution, rig, six weeks, suttles, tactic