Finally Some ResultsForty-six days and an estimated 36,708,000 barrels of oil later, BP has partially succeeded in one of its efforts to take back control over this ever worsening problem. The plan, now known as the 'cap and kill' plan has so far been partially successful, resulting in about 6,000 barrels of oil being siphoned from the sea, into the drill ship Discover Enterprise. However, video clips released today, Saturday June 5th, still show oil leaking out into the Gulf, and primary results suggest only about twenty percent of the estimated daily amount of oil released into the Gulf of Mexico. BP has said before that this method will only slow the spew of oil and that the well will not be completely closed until the relief wells are dug in August.
The 'Cap and Kill'
After the widely publicized and failed attempt of the 'top kill' method, the media has dubbed the newest plan with a similar nickname. The 'cap and kill' plan involves cutting the bent oil pipe and then placing a cap over the open well. This should allow BP to funnel most of the oil into an area to be siphoned into a waiting drill ship. But that's just the theory. As BP has constantly reminded the public, this has never been tested and every step they take is a step into the unknown. I don't know if that message was an attempt to solicit pity from the public but it makes me feel anything but pity. It angers me to think why is this unknown? Why haven't they tested this already? Katrina taught us that preparation is key and that one can not simply label an event as the worst case scenario and then leave it as that. That's unacceptable; yet that is exactly but BP has done.
As of Friday June 4th, the cap was in place and about 6,000 barrels of crude had been siphoned from the sea and into the drill ship Discovery Enterprise. Yet the troubling images released also show a massive amount of oil still leaking into the Gulf, so what's BP's next move? Well in this cat in mouse game I am actually surprised to announce that they indeed have a next move. The plan is to close four vents on the top of the cap so that less oil will be released and more can be directed towards the surface. If that works it is encouraging news indeed. With most of the oil being siphoned out of the Gulf, the wait until August (though ridiculous in itself) seems less stark and damaging. Who knows how much irreparable damage has been done to the Gulf ecosystems and industry, but one thing is for certain. BP better step it up!
Later,
Cody
(Photo: Courtesy of the Associated Press)
It is about time that BP came up with a solution that actually works (at least a little bit). Their efforts so far to clean up their mess have been pathetic and desperate at best. One must ask why they did not have proven methods or at least an organized plan on how to deal with an oil disaster. This oil spill has had extreme detrimental effects on the Gulf of Mexico that may last for decades. Those who rely on Gulf as a source of income are struggling to put food on their tables and the oil is killing helpless animals. It has hit ocean currents and is moving elsewhere to destroy more ocean. If there is one silver lining to this dark situation, it might be tougher drilling regulations and the search for energy sources besides oil.
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