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BP's Newest Attempt To Stop Oil Flow Could Worsen It, Officials Say

Jessika Walsten |
May 31, 2010 | 1:49 p.m. PDT

Associate News Editor

Protesters unhappy with BP and their handling of the oil leak demonstrate in
New Orleans, Louisiana. (Creative Commons)

As if the environmental catastrophe was not bad enough, BP's latest bright idea could increas the flow of oil into the Gulf of Mexico by as much as 20 percent, said the Obama administration and company officials Sunday.

BP plans to cap the well and divert the leaking oil into a pipe that would transport the oil to the surface. The plan, which could begin as early as Monday or Tuesday, is reminiscent of the oil company's first attempt to contain the well.

In early May, BP lowered a containment dome over the well and tried to similarly shuttle oil to the surface. But the dome became clogged, making it buoyant.

This time BP officials say they will try to make the seal around the well "tighter" to ensure it doesn't clog.

"If it's a snug fit, then there could be very, very little oil," said White House energy advisor Carol Browner. "If they're not able to get as snug a fit, then there could be more. We're going to hope for the best and prepare for the worst."

That's reassuring.

Last week the company's attempt to "top kill" the leaking well by injecting heavy drilling mud into it failed.

While BP acknowledges that closing the well is the ultimate goal, the company will not be able to even attempt to close it until August when a relief well reaches leak to plug it.

But I think the solution proposed by oil leak experts at a conference in Washington last week is the best option.

"We've tried containment domes, rubber tires, and even golf balls," said William Cathermeyer of the National Oil Leakage Institute, a leading consultancy in the field of oil leaks. "Now it's time to shove some BP executives down there and hope for the best."



 

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