Gulf clean-up hampered by storm

Ships are evacuating...

The armada of ships that are currently in the Gulf of Mexico overseeing clean-up operations have been ordered to evacuate the area due to a tropical storm.

The storm, known as ‘Bonnie' is reported to have speeds of 40mph and is the second named storm of the Atlantic's hurricane season. It is expected to hit the spill area early on Saturday.

Admiral Thad Allen, who has been overseeing the clean-up operations, has said the well will remain capped while ships pull out of the area.

"Due to the risk that Tropical Storm Bonnie poses to the safety of the nearly 2,000 people responding to the BP oil spill at the well site, many of the vessels and rigs will be preparing to move out of harm's way beginning tonight.

"This includes the rig drilling the relief well that will ultimately kill the well, as well as other vessels needed for containment. Some of the vessels may be able to remain on site, but we will err on the side of safety."

Allen acknowledged that "these actions may delay the effort to kill the well for several days" but "the safety of individuals at the well site is our highest concern."

Sealing the well

A "packer", which is a plug used during storms, has been placed in the relief well to stabilise it while workers leave the site. Admiral Allen has previously said that will the new cap seemingly holding, it should be safe to leave the well unmonitored for several days.

It is expected that the storm will also delay the drilling of the two relief wells on site, however since the well was closed off last week, initial tests seem to indicate that it is holding leading US Energy Secretary Steven Chu to say he has been "encouraged" by the results so far.

Reports also stated the first relief well is only 4 ft from the damaged well, but more work needs to be done before it is used to ‘kill' the flow permanently. BP is awaiting final approval from Admiral Allen on whether to move forward with the process.

What is clear is that while the situation may be progressing, the storm will delay it for a few days.

Relevant articles:

Gulf well cap holding, oil seepage detected | BP gets 7 year drilling ban | BP Gulf oil spill: Cap test delayed

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