New BP oil cap appears successful
Top story: BP's operation to install a new cap to divert oil from the still-gushing well in the Gulf of Mexico appeared to go smoothly last night. Over the next 48 hours, engineers will test whether the 150,000 pound cap can successfully divert 25,000 gallons of oil per day to a surface ship. High pressure readings in the cap will indicate that it is working. Low pressure will indicate another spill elsewhere in the well. In either case, the flow of oil won't actually be cut off until two relief wells can be drilled, probably in mid-August.
Work on the new system began on Saturday when the old cap, which was capturing only about 15,000 barrels per day, was removed from the well. For three days, oil was flowing freely into the Gulf.
Even if the operation is successful, scientists say oil will continue to wash ashore in the Gulf region for several months and hardened tar balls could continue washing up on beaches for more than a year.
Positive sign? According to a U.N. report, the number of young people infected with HIV in Africa is falling.
Work on the new system began on Saturday when the old cap, which was capturing only about 15,000 barrels per day, was removed from the well. For three days, oil was flowing freely into the Gulf.
Even if the operation is successful, scientists say oil will continue to wash ashore in the Gulf region for several months and hardened tar balls could continue washing up on beaches for more than a year.
Positive sign? According to a U.N. report, the number of young people infected with HIV in Africa is falling.
| Africa
Asia and Pacific
Europe
Middle East
-By Joshua Keating |  |
Joe Raedle/Getty Images
No comments:
Post a Comment