The Gulf of Mexico: The Crude Truth
Spill, baby, spill
It has been over a month since the floating Deepwater Horizon drilling rig exploded and sank in the Gulf of Mexico, on April 20th. The oil spill has yet to be contained or stopped. Although it is difficult to pinpoint the exact amount of oil being gushed into the ocean, scientists believe the spill is in the range of 76,000 to 104,000 barrels a day – approximately 3,192,000 to 4,368,000 gallons of crude oil a day. According to Florida State University, the gusher is estimated to be five times larger than earlier government predictions. Other sources suggest the spill may even exceed the new estimate to 16 times the original approximate.
The estimated quantity of crude oil, in gallons, in the Gulf of Mexico is:
Rig history
The drilling rig was originally built in South Korea by Hyundai Heavy Industries for R&B Falcon, purchased by Transocean in 2001. Since arriving in the Gulf of Mexico, the rig has been under a leasing contract for British Petroleum (BP). In October 2009, the rig was contracted to be leased for the next three years, starting in September 2010, for $544 million or $469,800 a day.
Before its demise, Deepwater Horizon’s work included the drilling of wells in the Thunder Horse Oil Fields, Atlantis, and a 2006 discovery of oil in the Kaskida fields – all in the Gulf of Mexico.
During 2009, the rig was used to drill the Tiber oilfield with a vertical deepwater depth of 35,050 feet (10,680 meters).
The accident
Prior to the accident, Deepwater Horizon was situated approximately 40 miles from the shoreline of Louisiana. Immediately prior to the accident, the deepwater rig was focusing on cementing a casing to reinforce the well walls. Halliburton was responsible for the cementing on the casing – which they said was completed without a problem 20 hours before the explosion. However, Halliburton has confirmed that the cement plug was never set to cap the bore because the drilling was not in the final stages of completion.
On April 30th, Halliburton received a letter from the US House Energy and Commerce Committee requesting their presence on May 5th with relative documentation. The letter also stated that “Problems with cementing have frequently been identified as the causes of well blowouts.”
On April 20th, Deepwater Horizon experienced an oil well blowout that killed 11 platform workers, injured 17, and caused an oil slick covering the surface area of at least 2,500 square miles.
According to Transocean’s VP, Adrian Rose, workers were performing all standard tasks without an indication of any problems prior to the explosion. Rose added that “undoubtedly abnormal pressure” had accumulated inside the marine riser and as it came up it “expanded rapidly and ignited”. Transocean’s Chief Executive, Steven Newman, described the cause of the accident as “a sudden, catastrophic failure of the cement, the casing or both.” According to a report by 60 Minutes, the blowout preventer was also damaged in an accident four weeks before the April 20 explosion, and BP overruled the drilling operator on key operations. BP declined to comment on the report. The US Government is continuing the investigation regarding the origins of the rig failure.
Clean-up & Dispersant
Currently, BP has been using their choice of dispersant, Corexit 9500, to help break down the oil. The EPA raised concerns on May 20th about the dispersant as a human and wildlife health issue, saying that the long-term effects remain unknown. EPA and United States Coast Guard are perusing investigations on how this dispersant will ultimately impact the ecosystem on the Gulf. According to a Good Morning America scuba diver, the dispersant is merely breaking down the oil into smaller particles which may give it access to ocean currents and high depths. This has been a main concern for many environmentalists and scientists. The EPA has urged BP to use less dispersant, but in an effective manner.
Watch the GMA video below to see the oil 25 – 30 feet below the water’s surface.
According to a press release by BP on May 25th, they have pledged a commitment of up to $500 million to an open research program studying the impact of the Deepwater Horizon incident, and its associated response, on the marine and shoreline environment of the Gulf of Mexico. At this time, approximately 65 miles of the Louisiana shoreline have been directly impacted and engulfed by crude oil. Clean-up crews are deliberately trying to contain the situation, but a lot of work remains.
On May 26th, BP will be attempting to plug the gusher with a method called Top Kill.
Heavy “kill mud” is pumped down a drill pipe, then through hoses that go through the manifold on the seafloor. The mud then moves through another set of hoses attached to the Deepwater Horizon blow-out preventer’s choke and kill lines, then into the well stopping the leak.
Watch the video below to learn more about the Top Kill process (courtesy of Deepwater Horizon Response).
What you can do to help?!?
Millions of gallons later and the gusher has yet to be tamed. Numerous organizations are responding to necessary clean-ups, while attempting to prevent further contamination of shores, flora and fauna.
The Sierra Club is gathering volunteers to help with the clean-up efforts on the Gulf Coast. Sign up online to volunteer and the Sierra Club will help you find the right opportunities for you. In addition, make sure to sign the Sierra Club petition which sends a message to President Obama urging him to stop offshore drilling.
BP Continues to Process Damage Claims
The administration will continue to hold the relevant companies accountable for repairing the damage and repaying Americans who’ve suffered a financial loss. BP continues to process claims via its claims website (www.bp.com/claims) and its helpline (1-800-440-0858). To file a claim, visit www.bp.com/claims or call BP’s helpline at 1-800-440-0858. Those who have already pursued the BP claims process and are not satisfied with BP’s resolution can call the Coast Guard at (800) 280-7118.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:24 pm
I believe that the oil spill is now much larger than the Exxon Valdez spill. This is so devastating!
May 27th, 2010 at 4:25 pm
will you be able to see them stop the leak or attempt the top kill method on the video you posted?
May 27th, 2010 at 4:26 pm
This is one of the most disturbing things I have ever seen. This is ALL of our faults because America is so dependent on fossil fuels and this oil. It’s spilling into our oceans and on top our lands, just like its toxic for our air when we drive our cars! This is disturbing and we need to fight with Sierra Club to be more sustainable with our homes and with in our nation.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:29 pm
BP IS GOING TO PAY FOR THIS. EITHER THAT OR OBAMA REALLY HAS TO STEP IN AND ACT LIKE PRESIDENT
May 27th, 2010 at 4:30 pm
this is very unfortunate. the fact that its so far down (5,000 feet under the water’s surface) makes this a very difficult situation. i really hope the top kill works or i have no idea what else they’re going to have to do.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:31 pm
If Top Kill doesn’t work we can always do what Russian recommended… blow it up! That’s eco-friendly right?
May 27th, 2010 at 4:40 pm
i just cut my hair and donated it to the oil clean up! so sad
May 27th, 2010 at 4:44 pm
This disaster could have absolutely prevented if BP, Transocean, and Halliburton paid attention to all the warning signs that the drill rig was giving them — the rubber cap blow up, the previous fires, the miscommunication, and fact who was actually in charge! All of these things could have been sincerely prevented if people only paid attention to what was in front of them, instead of the money! I even watched on 60 Minutes that they had two different oil wells, and the first one didn’t work and the actual ocean ground cracked and was damaged, the well had to be plugged and and closed! THE ACTUAL OCEAN FORMATION SAID, “DON’T YOU DARE DRILL IN MY MISTER!” Did they listen? No, they simply moved along and started another well. Pathetic and these are the people that we’re allowing to dictate the major events and happenings in our world today!
May 27th, 2010 at 4:51 pm
how is that they can shove a camera all the way down there, but they cant fix a huge gusher? i see something totally wrong with this.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
We need to be more energy independent and look into things like fuel cell energy, solar and wind power. And remember, there are so many other alternatives than using things that are made my energy. To name a few things that run on ZERO fossil fuels …
1. clothing dry lines
2. bicycles
3. push lawn mowers
4. hand washing your car, not the rigged up washer
5. solar phone chargers
6. walking
7. non-electric tooth brushes
8. solar tubes dont require power to work
9. green roofs cool your home, no AC
etc. etc. etc.
The list goes on… going green is easy… just don’t buy all the crap and realize what you’re doing to this planet! peace and love
May 27th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
the ABC video is so nasty… i cannot believe that he’s swimming in that, i cannot believe that fish are swimming in that and pelicans are diving for their food. MAKE THIS STOP.
May 27th, 2010 at 4:57 pm
boycott bp. join us on facebook and say no to bp by avoiding their gas stations.
August 2nd, 2010 at 5:28 pm
I can’t stop thinking about the dolphins, whales, birds, seals, and other creatures dying innocently in all this oil. I saw an oceanographer on TED talking about the impact to wildlife and our oceans, and his heartbreaking story about a dolphin swimming alongside a fishing boat, spewing oil from its blowhole as if to ask for help. I am all the way in California, a single mom and teacher, but I’m desperately seeking some way to support a movement to rescue the wildlife and keep them out of the oil spill areas as much as possible either with netting or boats surrounding the area…? I feel a responsibility to provide medical rescue to these creatures immediately – how can we let them die in all this? It’s murder! BP should be paying the cost of the rescue and it should be mandated by whatever federal or state agencies mandate wildlife and/or environmental protection laws! I am not experienced in all this but I feel so strongly. Is there anyone who can tell me more in how I can help see to the rescue of the wildlife in the gulf?