BP installs new cap, stops oil leak for the first time since crisis began in April
BP has managed to complete a new containment system this week after Gulf of Mexico residents expressed a sigh of relief. A series of underwater cameras and photographs taken at the Deepwater Horizon have confirmed that no oil was leaking at the site at the time. The explosion, which occurred on April 20, killed 11 personnel and damaged the oil rig, which resulted in a massive spillage and threw red diesel suppliers and ecologist alike into a collective panic.
Officials are unable to guarantee that the oil leak has been permanently halted and have suggested that it may not be until August until they are confident enough to confirm that well has been properly sealed.
Meanwhile, BP shares rose by 10 percent amidst news that the leak had been contained. President Obama announced that the crisis was still in a ‘testing phase’ and BP’s chief operating officer, Doug Suttles said that valves may have to be reopened in order to determine whether certain pressure levels will lead to further leakages in the future.
Officials have also spoken of the importance finishing tests in the oil rig before a hurricane strike. If a hurricane had taken place during the height of the oil spillage, large volumes of oil would have been washed onto the shores and the containment plan would have been delayed by several months. Luckily, such a scenario has not occurred, although no one is taking their chances.
By shutting the well now, US Coast Guard Thad Allen says that this will enable workers to abandon the oil rig in the event of a tropical storm or hurricane. On average, the peak period of hurricane activity along the Gulf Coast occurs in August and September and the oil spill began just over a month before the official start of the 2010 Atlantic Hurricane Season.
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