Gulf oil spill latest: Containing the spill

The Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill

The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is now 80 miles across and the size of Jamaica, and according to new reports is five times worse than first thought, leaking around 5000 barrels into the sea, as opposed to the 1000 barrels first estimated.

The new estimates were released after the discovery of another leak from the pipeline crippled after fire ravaged the Deepwater Horizon rig, and early attempts by robotic submarines to seal the well have failed. Despite the new leak, BP officials have claimed the original estimate of 1000 barrels a day is closer to the truth. However US Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry disagreed with the statement at a news conference and said she was relying on the new estimate of 5000 barrels from the National Oceanic Atmospheric Administration.

Containing the oil leak

As the slick swells, more efforts are being made to contain it. The federal government have reached out to BP, who rented the rig, and offered its help before the oil becomes unmanageable and causes more damage to the fragile eco-system within the Gulf and the coastlines of the US and Mexico.

BP has been trying to contain the spill since the rig first sank last week, spraying 100,000 gallons of dispersent on the spill to dissipate it, using robot submarines to seal the well at source and now, in a first for US coastal waters according to Greg Pollock, head of the oil spill division of the Texas General Land; burning the oil.

"We have assembled and are now deploying world-class facilities, resources and expertise, and can call on more if needed. There should be no doubt of our resolve to limit the escape of oil and protect the marine and coastal environments from its effects," said BP chief executive Tony Hayward.

Map courtesy of US Coast Guard

Environmental impact

The Gulf region is home to 3300 marine species, and contains five million acres of wetlands which serve as a stop over for migrating water fowl. Among the most vulnerable animals are six types of whale, Kemp's Ridley sea turtle, numerous sharks and around 45000 bottle-nose dolphin.

Breaking News (04/30/2010 12:49 UK)

The US administration has banned oil drilling in new areas of the US coast pending investigations into the cause of the oil spill off Louisiana.

"No additional drilling has been authorised and none will until we find out what happened," White House adviser David Axelrod has told ABC television.

Related articles:

US oil rig sinks and causes oil spill off US coast | Traces of Exxon Valdez spill can still be found | Solid response to oil spills | Back chat: Raising the standard on oil spill response equipment | 42000 gallons of oil leaking in Gulf everyday

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