leaked report... Gov't feels well could become unchecked gusher 50,000 barrels a day!!!

[ORDagnabbit]

http://blog.al.com/live/2010/04/deepwater_horizon_secret_memo.html

The following is not public' document states

"The following is not public," reads the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Emergency Response document dated April 28. "Two additional release points were found today in the tangled riser. If the riser pipe deteriorates further, the flow could become unchecked resulting in a release volume an order of magnitude higher than previously thought."

Asked Friday to comment on the document, NOAA spokesman Scott Smullen said that the additional leaks described were reported to the public late Wednesday night. Regarding the possibility of the spill becoming an order of magnitude larger, Smullen said, "I'm letting the document you have speak for itself."

In scientific circles, an order of magnitude means something is 10 times larger. In this case, an order of magnitude higher would mean the volume of oil coming from the well could be 10 times higher than the 5,000 barrels a day coming out now. That would mean 50,000 barrels a day, or 2.1 million gallons a day. It appears the new leaks mentioned in the Wednesday release are the leaks reported to the public late Wednesday night.

more at the link.....

[Kablooie]

1. Good god. If this is true the whole Gulf could be unusable for decades.

I hope it's some kind of exaggerated scare tactic.

[ORDagnabbit]

2. I hope so too. n/t

[skip fox]

3. Jesus!

n/t

[slackmaster]

4. "leaked" report - heh

No verifiable source.

[ORDagnabbit]

5. the WSJ is now reporting that it might be leaking 25,000 barrels a day not 5,000

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748703871904575216382160623498.html?mod=rss_Today%27s_Most_Popular

BY IAN TALLEY

WASHINGTON—The Gulf of Mexico oil spill could be leaking at a rate of 25,000 barrels a day, five times the government's current estimate, industry experts say.

Basing their calculations on government data and standard industry measurement tools, the experts said the Gulf spill may already rival the historic 1969 Santa Barbara, Calif., and 1989 Exxon Valdez disasters.

Ian MacDonald, professor of oceanography at Florida State University who specializes in tracking ocean oil seeps from satellite imagery, said there may already be more than 9 million gallons of oil floating in the Gulf now, based on his ...

more at the link