Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill

[Encryptshun]

Are there any estimates to how much oil is and has been being pumped into the gulf?
I read somewhere that the rig owners are refusing to give detailed video of the leak so that scientists can estimate it more accurately.

BP has stated its estimate is ~5,000 barrels per day. Studies of the video released by BP showing the pipe leaking have estimated between 20,000 and 70,000 barrels per day.

Truth of the matter is that no one really knows, because the oil is mixed with methane and there is no precedent technology considered "foolproof" enough to convince BP to release more footage for independent analysis. If BP is understating the severity of the leak, they have a vested interest in witholding that information until such time as they get the situation under control and independent verification is a moot point. They'll be paying for the cleanup either way.

[OriginalWheelman]

I'm not saying that's what caused I'm I was merely saying it was within the realm of possibility.

All I've read form anyone is the blame passing and speculation from the involved companies. When I see the National Academy of Engineering report and the Minerals Management Service report we can talk about cause. Witness testimony does not equate truth. As the camera age has shown us eyewitness testimony is one of the least reliable forms of evidence.

Enjoy your wait, buddy.

I'd rather wait for a detail analysis than jump to conclusions based on what people who have to cover their a** said.

[PoorManQ45]

But what fun is it when you have all the facts?

How are we supposed to think up this crazy explanations! Having all the facts is kind of boring sometimes...

[OriginalWheelman]

But what fun is it when you have all the facts?

How are we supposed to think up this crazy explanations! Having all the facts is kind of boring sometimes...

I broke the dam!

[4cefed]

Unfortunately, the broad, generalized effect of this incident in the eyes of the *mostly uninformed* American public will be very similar to the effect of TMI and Chernobyl:

"OMG nuclear power plants are bad and dangerous!"

The reality is, nothing could be further from the truth.

Thank you.

I don't pretend to be any huge enviromentalist, but this event has me concerned. Coming from the nuclear world, we have backup system after containment system after backup after backup. Am I understanding correctly that there is one valve in this oil well set-up that is supposed to prevent all this form happeneing? Seems like lack of foresight.

I konw this planet is addicted to oil still and it would be rash decision making to limit or prevent new wells, but how about a little better planning?

[Red coupe]

But what fun is it when you have all the facts?

How are we supposed to think up this crazy explanations! Having all the facts is kind of boring sometimes...

I broke the dam!

No, I broke the dam...

[RCA]

They managed to close one of three total leaks...

Progress.

Mean while Kevin Costner...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jx5XgUYDQ3k

[PoorManQ45]

Unfortunately, the broad, generalized effect of this incident in the eyes of the *mostly uninformed* American public will be very similar to the effect of TMI and Chernobyl:

"OMG nuclear power plants are bad and dangerous!"

The reality is, nothing could be further from the truth.

Thank you.

I don't pretend to be any huge enviromentalist, but this event has me concerned. Coming from the nuclear world, we have backup system after containment system after backup after backup. Am I understanding correctly that there is one valve in this oil well set-up that is supposed to prevent all this form happeneing? Seems like lack of foresight.

I konw this planet is addicted to oil still and it would be rash decision making to limit or prevent new wells, but how about a little better planning?

No, that is incorrect. Their are three backup devices. The BOP on the Drilling deck of the platform. The BOP on the seabed, and finally a "flapper" under the lower the BOP.

From reading that other forum, some people worked on that rig, it seems that transocean didn't tell anyone that the lower BOP was faulty. The BOPs operate like brakes on a train. They require a constant signal to stay open. As soon as the power went out on the platform the lower BOP should have closed.