At Last, Very Encouraging News From Gulf Oil Spill
Posted: Saturday, July 31, 2010
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
Two news releases on different aspects of the huge oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico have been released today which are very encouraging and especially so because of the long wait and uncertainty people have endured. Especially those who have been directly affected by the problem.
It is anyone's guess as to how many millions of oil have escaped into the gulf since the accident on April 20 of this year. The estimates have varied widely. Perhaps the best estimate is around, or over, 180 million gallons places it in the grouping of the world's worst spills and by far, they largest in U.S. history. The next worse on for us was the Exxon-Valdez accident which spilled from 30-35 million gallons. Eighty-five days of uninterrupted flow into the gulf waters.
Now today, BP announces their plans to begin injecting heavy, specially formulated, drilling mud into the well as early as Sunday, tomorrow, August 1, 2010. They are also intersecting the old well some 18,000 feet under the gulf surface and should have that feature operable within a few days.
The really good news is that these present efforts are tried and proven. A spokesperson for BP stated that the odds of success are almost 100%. So, barring any unforeseen difficulty, the well should be under full control again within days.
Another welcome factor, Alabama state health officials have lifted the swimming ban on the state's beaches. They warn that spots of oil still may be around, but base their lifting of the ban on the highly improved conditions of the oil slicks.
Optimism and pessimism abound when it comes to the condition and the future damage to the ecosystem is concerned. Many feel that even though there have been many sea creatures killed and displaced, that the number is not so great that it may rebound swiftly. However, others are deeply concerned that it might take a number of years to recover to the point it was. If, indeed it ever returns to the fullest. Some think that certain essential parts of the system have been damaged beyond recovery.
Certainly, if everything proceeds as now expected, there will be more accurate analyses made with accompanying more accurate prognoses. But for the time being, we have reason to be optimistic and thankful.
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Top-level comments on this article: (3 total)Thank heavens the spilling is over, and yes, I think it is something to be very grateful for.Thanks for the comment, Jennifer. Yes and I sincerely hope they have learned many lessons, number one, not to allow another accident like this one to occur.
Hopefully next time they will get in gear faster, eh? Thanks for sharing this with your readers!Thanks Marijo for reading and commenting. Yes, I believe they have profited from this accident enough that they will be much more ready in case of another...plus, I believe they will be much more careful to avoid theis type of accident. Those poor guys that died in the accident cannot help it now, but I just cannot help but believe that somewhere, something was done, or was failed to be done, to have caused this. There are numerous (big numbers) of offshore rigs which have been operating for decades, and it is illogical to think that all these others have safely been operating and then this one blows up. It is too late to stop it and no need to try to place blame. We just need to learn from it.And not let this detour us from becoming self sufficient in oil production instead of buying it from those who would love to see our demise.Hear, hear and amen. I fear that some of the (cuss word) will use it to the utmost to try and stop offshore drilling.I was thinking that is why certain parties allowed this to go on and on without help so they could use it to stop drilling...
JoelHave you heard anything about the research study on the effects of the oil dispersing chemicals yet? Have not found any real information yet only what am hearing on news. No one is talking about it except the local college research teams here in Florida.Just curiousCarlaThanks for the comment, Carla, and no, I have not heard what they have decided, I just know that BP is denying that they are harmful. I will try to find out something on it though.
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