Mother of all gushers - BP Oil Disaster in Gulf of Mexico

[Guardian]

Hey everybody, some folk last night said that the attempt for 'top kill' would take place today. True? Thanks.

BP says they are going to try "Top Kill" tomorrow

_http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100524/ap_on_bi_ge/us_gulf_oil_spill

 

[Guardian]

Ok, so what happened to their personal beacons, supposedly all off shore workers have them? What happened the auto beacons that go off if a life raft is activated/inflated?

_http://www.newser.com/story/86598/11-missing-after-us-oil-rig-blows.html

"Authorities were searching early today for up to 11 missing workers who evacuated after an explosion on an oil drilling platform off the coast of Louisiana. The explosion happened around 10pm last night, while 126 workers were aboard the platform, a Coast Guard spokesman said. No deaths were reported, though at least seven were injured—three critically."

 

[durabone]

Thanks Guardian;

The top kill could begin as early as Wednesday, with BP CEO Tony Hayward giving it a 60 to 70 percent chance of success.

A top kill has worked on aboveground oil wells in Kuwait and Iraq but has never before been attempted so far underwater.

My friends suggested that we all pray/give good vibes, etc. because if it does not work, the leak will remain open for another several months. Where's Red Adair when you need him?

 

[Guardian]

http://www.southernstudies.org/2010/05/air-tests-from-the-louisiana-coast-reveal-human-health-threats-from-the-oil-disaster.html

Today the Louisiana Environmental Action Network released its analysis of air monitoring test results by the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA's air testing data comes from Venice, a coastal community 75 miles south of New Orleans in Louisiana's Plaquemines Parish.

The findings show that levels of airborne chemicals have far exceeded state standards and what's considered safe for human exposure.

For instance, hydrogen sulfide has been detected at concentrations more than 100 times greater than the level known to cause physical reactions in people. Among the health effects of hydrogen sulfide exposure are eye and respiratory irritation as well as nausea, dizziness, confusion and headache.

The concentration threshold for people to experience physical symptoms from hydrogen sulfide is about 5 to 10 parts per billion. But as recently as last Thursday, the EPA measured levels at 1,000 ppb. The highest levels of airborne hydrogen sulfide measured so far were on May 3, at 1,192 ppb.

 

[Guardian]

For 3 days now I've been trying to contact an old friend who lives (lived?) on the Louisiana coast. For 3 days I've been getting "All circuits are busy. Please try your call again later."

I just spoke to another friend who told me that some residents are packing up and "voluntarily" leaving the area because people are starting to get sick.

It feels so surreal, like we're sitting here watching the beginning of the end on YouTube

 

[durabone]

Thanks Guardian;

This article corroborates the one you posted somewhat:

_http://www.huffingtonpost.com/gina-solomon/gulf-oil-spill-air-qualit_b_587367.html

 

[Guardian]

Wonder what they don't want us to see?

_http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/25/markey-bp-to-terminate-gulf-oil-feed-during-top-kill/?hpt=T2

02:13 PM ET

Markey: BP to terminate Gulf oil feed during 'top kill'

Rep. Edward Markey said his office was notified the feed of the oil spill will be shut down while BP tries the "top kill" procedure.

BP has told the chairman of the House subcommittee on energy and the environment that it will be killing the live feed video of the spill at the bottom of the Gulf of Mexico while it attempts to seal the well using the "top kill" procedure, Rep. Edward Markey said in a statement.

The statement said BP informed Markey's office the feed would be "terminated" sometime Wednesday.

“It is outrageous that BP would kill the video feed for the top kill. This BP blackout will obscure a vital moment in this disaster,” Markey said in a statement. “After more than a month of spewing oil into the Gulf of Mexico, BP is essentially saying to the American people the solution will not be televised.”

CNN is currently trying to obtain a comment from BP on the issue.

 

[Al Today]

Wonder what they don't want us to see?

Hard to say but they probably are hiding something? The truth?

 

[durabone]

Maybe they are planning on using a small tactical nuke?
I could find zippo on the expected condition of the BOP after the 'top kill'.
If it will be destroyed, which kindergarten logic suggests it
might, then the flow rate might shoot way up tomorrow.

 

[Nawd]

Here is the live feed from the gusher:

_http://www.cnn.com/video/flashLive/live.html?stream=stream3&hpt=T2

 

[David]

I had a look at the BP site regarding ‘Top Kill’

Quote:
“This has never been attempted at these depths. This is very complex – and involves several complex procedures coming together.”

http://www.bp.com/genericarticle.do?categoryId=9033657&contentId=7062095

In other words they are saying, we don't know if it will work keep your fingers crossed and hope for the best.

I'm wondering what's the max pressure the well cap can take, since the alleged pressure of the oil is supposed to be very high, what's to stop it from lifting the cap off when they start the procedure. I hope they reinforced it just to be on the safe side.

 

[Guardian]

Maybe they are planning on using a small tactical nuke?

That's what I'm wondering. I read that the Russians have used Tack Nukes to close leaks successfully, but not at this depth. Why cut the feed for a "Top Kill" attempt? The whole concept of "top fill"with the tremendous opposing forces strikes me as ridiculous, but I'm not an engineer either.

 

[Guardian]

_http://news.blogs.cnn.com/2010/05/25/markey-bp-to-terminate-gulf-oil-feed-during-top-kill/


Updated at 9:20 p.m.

BP says it will continue to provide live video feeds of oil gushing from the seabed of the Gulf of Mexico while it attempts to seal the damaged well in a procedure known as "top kill."

"BP agreed to make the live feed of the top kill attempt available at the request of the President and the National Incident Center," an administration official told CNN.

Preparations for the procedure are continuing with the expectation that it could be activated on the morning of Wednesday May 26, 2010, BP said in a statement Tuesday night.Throughout the top kill procedure – which may take up to two days to complete - significant changes in the appearance of the flows at the seabed may be expected, BP said. The changes will not provide a reliable indicator of the progress of the operation as a whole and BP will report on the progress of the operation as appropriate, the company said.

 

[Rabelais]

This was just emailed to me. It is posted at:

_http://fourwinds10.com/siterun_data/environment/pollution/news.php?q=1274767889

I have no date or confirmation of its veracity, but the SOTT story about FEMA preparing to evacuate Tampa gives it legs.

Hi all,

Making this quick, don't feel well. About 4:15pm or so eastern, coming back from Tampa, Florida north on Veteran's Expressway...about 7 miles perhaps from SR 54...it sprinkled some gray watery and solid black oil on my car. Thought it was bugs, but so fast did not make sense and windshield wipers just smeared it. Got out of car at store and looked on the paint and solid black dots on my car...I touch? huh? it's wet? it's OIL!!!!!

I had several folks verify it before I sprayed it off and it came off easier than the few love bugs. Two hours later still wet like OIL! nope, not water, smell it, OIL!!!

Anyone on Gulf try not to smear touch it as it is harder to wash off if it happens to you. Bands of storm clouds coming this way from Gulf of Mexico...has not actually rained at least where I have been, just ran through the sprinkle. I smell it now I am inside the house...it's just hard for me to believe also. One can think of a other things...oh maybe it was a vehicle in front of you...there was no vehicles near me at the time. So coincidence oil spill in the gulf and it rains oil on my car? okay believe what you will...but I know my gut and what happened to me, what I saw, others witnessed, I took pics of (sorry don't know how to post them, and it photos could be debatable anyway, take my word or not whichever...but we are in deep hocky doo folks.

I was noticing that big black blotch closer to west coast FL on some images that someone posted yesterday on Disasters board...wondering. Well, maybe wrong board but felt more may see it here and ones that live here. Be careful, if it gets on your clothes, pets, hair, eyes, skin...it won't be so easy to wash off as a well waxed car is.

Not checking this for now, gotta wash out my ears, eyes, nose and lay down...change clothes as I smell it now inside the house on my clothes. I did not smell it while out though and my nose is now desensitizing, but I feel nauseated. I am really sensitive though, some may not be so much or get the heavy warnings I do.

Thanks for letting me post this bopp, if you want to move it, okay with me I understand...maybe nobody pay attention anyway and I am not super pops here as it is!

~Eve

 

[Al Today]

Well Rabelais, I gotta ask: Can ANYONE tell me it ain't gonna rain petroleum???
I got really bad "vibes" on this one...
I wonder how long until stories like this come from up inland north...