BP Oil Leak: Controlled By Tube?
By Naiwrita Sinha, Gaea News NetworkFriday, May 14, 2010
GULF OF MEXICO (GaeaTimes.com)- BP had taken all the responsibility of clearing up the massive oil leak in the Gulf Of Mexico, but they have not been able to make much of a headway so far. The crude oil, researchers stress, continues to pour from the undersea gusher, generating a huge lot of concern among environmentalists, and is gradually threatening to turn into a disaster in a global scale. BP has already undertaken a number of measures to clog the flow of the crude oil, but to no avail. Recent reports suggest that the oil leak covers a huge area on the surface of the sea, and is endangering marine life, the beaches and also the thriving fishing industry in the Gulf of Mexico.
The latest measure undertaken by the energy giant to control the oil leak is a small pipe, inserted into the larger riser pipe, that once served to connect the undersea gusher to the Deepwater Horizon rig. The rig had caught fire in 2006, and sank after two days. The researchers at BP have come to the decision of inserting the tube into the riser pipe, but they warn that it might be taking a very long time, at least twelve hours, considering that the pipe is, at present, clogged with debris.
Some other measures are also being devised by BP to control the oil leak. Initially, they had positioned a containment box, fitted over the gusher. However, that failed due to the accumulation of hydrate crystals. Next, they positioned yet another containment box, called the top hat, smaller in structure, but more efficient. Now, BP is also considering positioning yet another replica of the first containment box, but have reported that it is going to be far smaller.
