Saying the possibility of the containment cap in place over the Macondo well in the Gulf of Mexico has little chance of causing leaks to explode in other areas of the well, National Incident Commander Thad Allen said he and U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu have given BP (NYSE:BP) the okay to keep the cap in place as long as needed.
Allen said they took into account the visual, seismic and acoustic surveillance, along with pressure readings, which point to successful containment of the oil well.
In a press conference Thursday, Allen said, “We’re starting to create almost a 3-D model of what the formation around that well looks like. That allows us to rule out indications there might be a leak.”
Major concerns now are whether strong winds will hit the area in a way that it will cause more oil to hit the shorelines, something that happened with Hurricane Alex.
The U.S. National Hurricane Center issued warnings of storms forming in the east part of the Gulf, which could reach the oil well on the morning of July 24, according to Allen.
Data after the recent storm showed oil on the shoreline was about twice what it was before the storm.
Showing posts with label Hurrican Alex. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Hurrican Alex. Show all posts
Friday, July 23, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Response Strategy Didn't Include Hurricanes - Does it Matter?
The preparations for response to an oil spill by BP (NYSE:BP) didn't include tropical storms or hurricanes, leading some to question the overall validity and expertise of the oil giant in these areas.
It was in the midst of a Congressional hearing on creating a new law on improving the quality of technology in order to help stop accidents like the one on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (which continues to spew oil into the Gulf of Mexico), where the revelation was brought forth, seeming to imply technology alone isn't the only answer if oil companies don't have the overall picture as to what could go wrong in case of an oil spill like the one we're now experiencing, and what variables would need to be included in their preparations and potential scenarios they may face.
Even though it was pointed out because of what has turned into Hurricane Alex, it isn't clear what else could be done in these circumstances more than is being done, now that the big waves have hit the area.
It could be that hurricanes weren't included in contingency plans because there's nothing else to do but leave the area until it subsides.
What is more important in that regard is when the equipment and moving of workers off these rigs could interfere with the flow of the general population leaving for safety at the same time. In that case, as it now being planned, it is better for the company to leave earlier in order to keep from interfering with traffic flow.
But as far as out in the water, other than ships that can better handle rough waters, there isn't much else that can be done but wait it out in safety.
It was in the midst of a Congressional hearing on creating a new law on improving the quality of technology in order to help stop accidents like the one on the Deepwater Horizon oil rig (which continues to spew oil into the Gulf of Mexico), where the revelation was brought forth, seeming to imply technology alone isn't the only answer if oil companies don't have the overall picture as to what could go wrong in case of an oil spill like the one we're now experiencing, and what variables would need to be included in their preparations and potential scenarios they may face.
Even though it was pointed out because of what has turned into Hurricane Alex, it isn't clear what else could be done in these circumstances more than is being done, now that the big waves have hit the area.
It could be that hurricanes weren't included in contingency plans because there's nothing else to do but leave the area until it subsides.
What is more important in that regard is when the equipment and moving of workers off these rigs could interfere with the flow of the general population leaving for safety at the same time. In that case, as it now being planned, it is better for the company to leave earlier in order to keep from interfering with traffic flow.
But as far as out in the water, other than ships that can better handle rough waters, there isn't much else that can be done but wait it out in safety.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
BP (NYSE:BP) Cleanup On Hold as Worst Waves of Hurricane Alex are Over
BP (NYSE:BP) said the worst of the waves, which were in some cases as high as 12 feet, have passed where the Gulf oil well is leaking, although they were on average smaller than that.
Even so, the waves were still in the seven foot to eight foot high range, which keeps the cleanup efforts on hold until they subside; at least in relationship to booming and skimming operations.
Other oil companies, including Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has also evacuated workers from the Gulf region. Approximately 25 percent of all oil production in the Gulf has been stopped, along with about 9 percent of natural gas production.
While Tropical Storm Alex should completely bypass the leaking oil well of BP, weather models show there's an over 40 percent chance that one will enter the area where the oil well is leaking by the end of August.
Even so, the waves were still in the seven foot to eight foot high range, which keeps the cleanup efforts on hold until they subside; at least in relationship to booming and skimming operations.
Other oil companies, including Exxon Mobil (NYSE:XOM) and ConocoPhillips (NYSE:COP) has also evacuated workers from the Gulf region. Approximately 25 percent of all oil production in the Gulf has been stopped, along with about 9 percent of natural gas production.
While Tropical Storm Alex should completely bypass the leaking oil well of BP, weather models show there's an over 40 percent chance that one will enter the area where the oil well is leaking by the end of August.
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