Spill Roundup: Storm May Stop Oil Siphoning

摘要

With a storm threatening to disrupt oil- siphoning efforts at BP’s blown-out Gulf of Mexico well, the US Coast Guard on Friday said collection efforts would be suspended five days before the forecast onset of gale- force winds. A tropical disturbance over the western Caribbean could deal a big setback to efforts by BP to contain oil gushing from the well at an estimated rate of 35,000- 60,000 barrels per day. Coast Guard Admiral Thad Allen said it would be necessary five days before gale force winds are forecast to arrive to take down operations involving ships and other equipment siphoning some of the oil spewing from BP’s ruptured deep- water well. During this period, the oil could flow unchecked from the ruptured well into the sea for up to 14 days, Allen said.