Internet Paper
Alena Brown
Internet Paper #4
12/4/2012
Article: BP stops oil leak in Gulf of Mexico for first time since April
Author: Suzanne Goldenberg
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/16/bp-oil-spill-leak-stopped
The safety issue that I chose was the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The BP oil spill was the largest oil spill in United States history. This oil spill occurred due to a methane leak, and an explosion, causing a fire aboard an offshore oil drilling rig. The explosion damaged the pipeline, causing pressurized oil, to gush into the ocean. The company BP first BP denied any responsibility and that the oil spill will only have a minimum impact. After 87 days of the oil spill happening, BP finally had control over it by stating that they would monitor the cap holding back the oil with pressure tests every six hours for the next 48 hours, before it could be certain the well would hold. The flow of oil cut off July 14, 2010 due to engineers shutting off a series of valves around the well. The negative consequences of the oil spill was that BP was now responsible for worst oil spill in history, economic and environmental damage across 4 U.S States. The oil spill caused damage to wildlife due to the volume of oil that had spilled into the gulf. Thousands of dead birds were washed on the shores, their feathers drenched in the sticky oil, along with dead sea turtles. Another consequence was an economic impact. BP spent around $6 million dollars per day trying to clean up the aftermath. At current predictions, BP’s stock has lost over $32 billion dollars, with further losses to come. BP was previously known as the oil company with the most environmentally friendly image, which is now damaged due to this oil spill. Another consequence was an increase in the price of seafood. Many fisheries in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana were threatened by the effects of the BP oil spill. The toxic oil could affect the
Internet Paper #4
12/4/2012
Article: BP stops oil leak in Gulf of Mexico for first time since April
Author: Suzanne Goldenberg
Source: http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/jul/16/bp-oil-spill-leak-stopped
The safety issue that I chose was the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. The BP oil spill was the largest oil spill in United States history. This oil spill occurred due to a methane leak, and an explosion, causing a fire aboard an offshore oil drilling rig. The explosion damaged the pipeline, causing pressurized oil, to gush into the ocean. The company BP first BP denied any responsibility and that the oil spill will only have a minimum impact. After 87 days of the oil spill happening, BP finally had control over it by stating that they would monitor the cap holding back the oil with pressure tests every six hours for the next 48 hours, before it could be certain the well would hold. The flow of oil cut off July 14, 2010 due to engineers shutting off a series of valves around the well. The negative consequences of the oil spill was that BP was now responsible for worst oil spill in history, economic and environmental damage across 4 U.S States. The oil spill caused damage to wildlife due to the volume of oil that had spilled into the gulf. Thousands of dead birds were washed on the shores, their feathers drenched in the sticky oil, along with dead sea turtles. Another consequence was an economic impact. BP spent around $6 million dollars per day trying to clean up the aftermath. At current predictions, BP’s stock has lost over $32 billion dollars, with further losses to come. BP was previously known as the oil company with the most environmentally friendly image, which is now damaged due to this oil spill. Another consequence was an increase in the price of seafood. Many fisheries in Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, Texas and Louisiana were threatened by the effects of the BP oil spill. The toxic oil could affect the