New Estimates Double Rate of Oil That Flowed Into Gulf

[cal04]

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/11/us/11spill.html?hp

A government panel on Thursday doubled its estimate of the amount of oil that had gushed for weeks from the out-of-control BP well eve

The new calculation suggested that an amount of oil equivalent to the Exxon Valdez disaster could have been flowing into the Gulf of Mexico every 8 to 10 days.

This assessment, based on measurements taken before BP cut the riser pipe of the leaking well on June 3 to cap some of the flow, showed that approximately 25,000 to 30,000 barrels of oil could have been gushing into the Gulf each day. That is far above the previous estimate of 12,000 to 19,000 barrels a day.

Scientists say the flow rate could actually be greater now because they believe that cutting the riser to position the cap pipe may have only increased the flow of the oil and gas mixture. The same governmental panel said that it would be another few days until it would be able to estimate the current flow rate.

[Junkdrawer]

1. And this time, they mean it....

No, really....


No backsies....

[Bluebear]

2. So now our government is really, really, doubly foot-stampin' mad!

[Ruby the Liberal]

3. Why when these estimates come out does my mind translate them as Dustin Hoffman as Rainman?

Yeah, 30,000. 30,000. Yeah.

[tnlefty]

4. Rec'd for a slight admission of truth,

and with great sadness for the ramifications.

[bdamomma]

6. I don't know what to say anymore

the marine and bird life has been murdered by BP, those rig workers too. It just so sad.

:hi:

[Trillo]

5. What I'd like to know is, how much oil is still *spilling*

versus the amount of oil spilling prior to the LMRP and cap cutting of the pipe.

Has it slowed, and if so, by how much.

[bdamomma]

7. it is spewing out what 52 days and look at how much

devastation