Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Oil Spill Gulf Of Mexico 2010 Is expected to Remain About 30 Miles Offshore,


The oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico is expected to remain about 30  miles offshore, based on an analysis of ocean currents and weather  patterns. In a statement Monday, the Coast Guard warned states along the  Gulf Coast to be on alert. The oil rig that burned and sank was  drilling a well about 50 miles off the Louisiana coast, putting that  state's shoreline at the highest risk.


Wildlife impact was said to be minimal. An  aircrew from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on Sunday spotted three  sperm whales near the spill but they did not appear affected, officials  said.


According to officials, there are two other possible ways to contain  the oil spill if the attempt to seal the well is unsuccessful. One  option would be to install a large dome over the leak and send the  collected oil to the surface, where it would be collected by ships. This  has been done before, although only in shallow water. The second option  is to drill an entirely new well that would intersect the original,  although this could take months to complete.


Benton didn’t want to discuss her injuries, other than to say that  she was bruised. Her attorney, Stephen Rue, said she was having trouble  sleeping and is suffering symptoms of post traumatic stress syndrome.  She has not yet filed a lawsuit in the case.


As of Tuesday morning, oil that leaked from the rig site was  spread over an area about 48 miles long and 80 miles wide at its widest.  The borders of the spill were uneven, making it difficult to calculate  how many square miles are covered, Coast Guard Petty Officer Erik  Swanson said.


“Right now, the weather’s in our favor,” Swanson said, explaining  that the wind was blowing the oil away from shore Tuesday.

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