About Us May 31, 2010

May 31, 2010

Home
Insiders
Americas
World
Business
Op Ed
Culture
Sport
Travel
Science
News for Kids
En Franais
Top kill fails to stop oil leak
By Wire News Sources on May 30, 2010
The oil has permeated more than 70 (110km)
miles of Louisianas coastline
Oil giant BP says it is unsure whether its latest
attempt to plug a gushing oil well in the Gulf of
Mexico has succeeded.
Chief operating officer Doug Suttles said the "top
kill" operation had not yet stopped the flow and it
was preparing its next plan.
Millions of gallons of oil have leaked since a rig
exploded and sank last month, killing 11
employees.
US President Barack Obama has ordered a tripling of manpower in coastal areas.
The oil spill has been called the worst in US history.
The thick crude has already permeated more than 70 miles (110km) of Louisiana's coastline, threatening fragile wetlands
and putting the vital fishing industry at risk.
Search here...
Submit Query
Page 1of 6 Top kill fails to stop oil leak | Herald de Paris
5/31/2010 http://www.heralddeparis.com/top-kill-fails-to-stop-oil-leak/91094
New operation
The "top kill" operation involves pumping shredded golf balls and tyres, as well as thick mud, into the well in an attempt
to plug it. It has been going on since Wednesday at a depth of 5,000ft (1.5km).
Mr Suttles said in Louisiana after monitoring the flow: "I don't think the amount of oil coming out has changed. J ust by
watching it, we don't believe it's changed."
BP had earlier said it would not know for sure if the "top kill" operation had worked until Sunday.
President Barack Obama: Its an assault on the shores and our people
But on Saturday he said he did not know if the operation would succeed, andadded that the next option was already being
prepared.
This operation is called the lower-marine-riser-package cap.
It involves an underwater robot using a saw to hack off the leaking pipe and place a cap over it.
Mr Suttles said: "If we have to go to it, we can do it as quickly as possible."
Two experts who spoke to Associated Press news agency, Prof Bob Bea, of the University of California at Berkeley, and
Eric Smith of the Tulane Energy Institute, both said the results of the "top kill" did not look promising.
The BBC's Andy Gallacher, at Grand Isle beach in Louisiana, says people are growing increasingly impatient and
increasingly angry.
He says that for miles in either direction there are small, sticky tar balls and as the waves break against the sand, there is a
definite rainbow sheen.
Some fishermen have nailed up signs, our correspondent says, with one reading "BP, you ruined our futures and our
heritage".

On Friday, President Obama toured oil-hit areas,
saying the US would "do whatever it takes" to
help those affected.
He said the additional manpower would lay more
booms, clean beaches and monitor stricken
wildlife.
A total of 20,000 people have already been
deployed to contain and clean up the spill.
Mr Obama said he would take responsibility for
"solving this crisis", though he said BP would be
held financially accountable for the "enormous
damage".
"I'm the president and the buck stops with me,"
he said.
Page 2of 6 Top kill fails to stop oil leak | Herald de Paris
5/31/2010 http://www.heralddeparis.com/top-kill-fails-to-stop-oil-leak/91094

Are you in the region affected by the oil? What is your reaction to the apparently successful attempt to stem the flow of
oil and gas? You can send us your views and experiences Click here to add comments..
(Required) Name(Required) Your E-mail address(Required) Town & Country(Required) Phone number(Required)
Comments
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC
media worldwide.
Terms and conditions
SendClear
This article is from the BBC News website. British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the
content of external internet sites.

Page 3of 6 Top kill fails to stop oil leak | Herald de Paris
5/31/2010 http://www.heralddeparis.com/top-kill-fails-to-stop-oil-leak/91094