BP thought they were within the clear, until the government ordered them to uncap the valves they just capped off as outlined by the New York Times. After 10 tries by BP to seal the oil spill, it seemed that all was progressing as prepared. However, reports began to surface that there may be oil and gas seep near the BP oil well, straight from the ocean floor.
BP troubles with the government while cleaning
There is more coming than just the PR and financial troubles BP has had with the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Obama administration’s response to the catastrophe was hindered by the Jones Act, which inadvertently has given Republicans more than enough ammunition against Democrats as midterm elections approach. Oil seeping out of the floor will make the public angry once again. Retired Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen, who’s overseeing the cleanup effort for the government, has given the green light for pressure testing to continue into Tuesday, as the seep is still being investigated, reports the Times.
Nothing from pressure tests yet
Capping the well just means pressure tests have to be done so the well can be monitored for seep or a possible blowout. There is a lot to monitor with the well going three miles to the seabed. Oil and gas might start seeping into the ground, even if it doesn’t explode. Allen explained that not much could be done if that happens.
Russia shows us how to proceed?
Should President Obama try to see this through with the resources presently in use, or would an “independent set of eyes,” as Andrew Revkin writes within the Times , be just what the oil seep ordered? Ocean floor oil seep might be occurring at even lower depths. James Cameron has a panel of experts that offered a suggestion to the Obama administration. Submarines from Russia have the capability of going miles deep, which would allow BP to continue monitoring oil flow at lower depths. The Russian subs could search for the seep.
Find more info here
Deepwater Horizon Response
deepwaterhorizonresponse.com/go/doc/2931/791891/
New York Times
dotearth.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/07/18/bp-pressed-to-assess-seep-near-its-well/
Voices from Russia
02varvara.wordpress.com/2010/07/12/russian-mir-submersibles-may-go-to-gulf-of-mexico-to-fix-oil-well-gusher/
CNN reports on seep near well head
youtube.com/watch?v=DPeoRnWV4vw
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