BP HOPES TO CONTAIN MAIN OIL LEAK IN GULF SOON

05.05.2010 [12:37]
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Baku, May 5 (AZERTAC). BP oil company officials say they hope to have in place by the end of the week a massive structure designed to stop the principal underwater oil leak that is fouling the Gulf of Mexico, VOA reports.

The oil company says the 98-ton structure would collect the oil from the largest of the three leaks and send it through a pipe to the surface where it can be collected on a barge.

The company says it has never attempted such a containment at a depth of more than 1,500 meters, and cannot guarantee that the effort will be successful.

Meanwhile, lighter winds and calmer waters have aided efforts to contain the oil spill that continues to threaten the southern U.S. coastline with severe environmental damage.

Officials say the favorable weather could slow the spread of the slick and make containment efforts more effective.

The U.S Coast Guard says 170 vessels, and nearly 7,500 personnel are involved in the cleanup efforts, with an additional 2,000 volunteers assisting. It says more than 148,000 meters of boom have been deployed in an effort to block oil from reaching the shore.

The Harte Institute for Gulf of Mexico Studies reports the spill is threatening to damage the region`s $1.6 billion in annual economic activity, including commercial fishing, sport fishing and tourism.

The oil rig exploded April 20 and sank two days later. Eleven workers were killed.

BP says it will pay for all the cleanup costs from the ruptured oil well. The company says it will pay compensation for legitimate claims for property damage and commercial losses stemming from the accident.

BP HOPES TO CONTAIN MAIN OIL LEAK IN GULF SOON

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