BP Crews are hoping to implement their “Static Kill” plan today, at the site of the Deepwater Horizon oil disaster. In what is hoped to be a decisive operation, the leaking well will be filled with drilling mud.
There is some optimism among experts that this could put an end to the tragedy that started with the deaths of 11 workers on the rig in April. The conditions for this form of plugging have to be just right so BP are waiting on tests to see if the plan can go ahead.
At the same time, Business Week is reporting that the estimates of how much oil has escaped into the Gulf are much bigger than previously reported. With the volume count now up to 4.9 million barrels, and an estimated 10% margin of error, it’s possible that the reality could prove to be much more.
“There’s still residual oil out there,” National Incident Commander Thad Allen said.
“Our intention is to size our force based on the requirements — how much oil is out there and how much do we have to recover.”
The oil is said to be mixing with the water just below the surface through natural breakdown, making it much more difficult to clean. It is estimated that approximately 800,000 barrels have so far been collected.
With the cost of cleanup estimated at $32 billion, BP has had to sell assets over the past few weeks to cover the costs.
Tony Hayward, former CEO of BP stepped down under increasing pressure last week, claiming that he had been demonized and been made the public face of the disaster.
