Oil Spill Latest: The Cost of Clumsiness

the ongoing disaster of the gulf of mexico oil spill OG BP have been trying to contain the spill since the explosion on the Deepwater Horizon rig over two weeks ago, yet 5,000 barrels of oil every day is still leaking into the Gulf NEXT GENERATION of Mexico O barrels 20 April 2010 45,000 barrels 29 April 2010 80,000 barrels 6 May 2010 260.000 barrels Exxon Valdez Oil Spill 450,000 barrels Best case scenario 3 months time It is estimated that the relief well will take up to 3 months to complete. By then it will have surpassed the Exxon Valdez disaster by almost 200,000 barrels of oil. 450,000 barrels of oil ... . could fill 28 olympic swimming pools IIII-------II--------II- Over 600 species of animal are at risk from the oil spill including birds, fish and land-mammals The Gulf Coast is home Oil has already started washing ashore on an island chain off the to more than 25 percent of the United States' fragile wetlands ecosystems coast of Louisiana, where several wildlife reserves are located In their worst-case scenario, BP executives told members of a congressional committee that up to 1.7 million gallons (around 40,000 barrels) a day could spill if the leaks worsened. 3,600,000 barrels Worst case scenario 3 months time what is being done? 17,500 National Guard troops have been deployed, and a further 4,000 volunteers are helping in the clean-up operation BP has successfully sealed 1 of the 3 leaks, however 5,000 barrels of oil is still being released each day The White House intends to raise BP's liability for lost revenues from fishing and other businesses to $10 billion up from $75 million 100 ships are involved in the operation to skim oil from the water's surface. 20 of these are the world's largest skimming vessels. the temporary solution? 1/3 of the world's dispersant stock has been mobilised 140,000 gallons has already been poured in the water, sparking further concerns from environmentalists 100 tonne, 40 ft tall concrete and steel box Will cover the leaks, allowing the oil to be pumped up to the surface to a container vessel A structure such as this has never been deployed at a depth of 5,000 ft, difficulties may occur Increased toxicity in the water Currently on its way to reach the Deepwater Horizon site One major concern is that if the box is not correctly lowered into place, the pipe could be ruptured further causing Genetic mutations - Cancer - Even greater risk to wildlife the worst-case scenario mentioned above than the oil alone what could have been done? A $500,000 acoustic shut-off trigger, which would have sent a remote signal 5,000 ft below the surface to close the valve and prevent the oil from escaping, could have prevented this disaster from happening. Due to lax government regulations, it was not required of BP to have this remote 'trigger' on the Deepwater Horizon. $23 billion How much the disaster is now expected to cost BP $500,000 could have prevented this from happening [A follow-up infographic to the 'Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill' infographic from 29th April 2010] [Graphic by T Farrant | Twitter @fallenblossom ] [ Sources: Reuters, BBC News, The Oil Drum, The Guardian, Treehugger [ Graphic for Next Generation Oil and Gas US I www.ngoilgas.com | GDS Digital ] [If you wish to use this graphic on your site, please link back to Next Generation Oil and Gas US I www.ngoilgas.com]