3,200 Gulf wells unplugged, unprotected lie abandoned beneath the Gulf of Mexico
More than 3,200 oil and gas wells classified as active lie abandoned beneath the Gulf of Mexico, with no cement plugging to help prevent leaks that could threaten the same waters fouled by last year’s BP spill. These wells likely pose an even greater environmental threat than the 27,000 wells in the Gulf that have been plugged and classified officially as “permanently abandoned” or “temporarily abandoned.”
Emails Expose BP’s Attempts to Control Research Into Impact of Gulf Oil Spill
With the first anniversary of the onset of the BP oil spill coming up next week, documents obtained under the Freedom of Information Act, show BP officials discussing how to influence the work of scientists, in order to minimize the scale of the spill’s destruction in the public mind.
Transocean claims record sea depth for oil drilling
Offshore oil drilling group Transocean claimed Tuesday that it had a set a world record for deep water drilling at an ocean depth of 3,107 metres (10,194 feet) off the coast of India.
Cuba to begin oil exploration in the Gulf of Mexico This Summer
Experts say the country might have 20 billion barrels oil reserves along Cuba’s north coast. Ocean scientists warn that a well blowout similar to the BP disaster could send oil spewing onto Cuban beaches and then the Florida Keys in as little as three days. If the oil reached the Gulf Stream, a powerful ocean current that passes through the region, oil could flow up the coast to Miami and beyond.
BP oil linked to Dolphins’ Death
“It is significant that even a year after the oil spill we are finding oil (linked to the April 2010 BP oil ) on the dolphins, the latest just two weeks ago.”
Transocean gives bonuses after Gulf of Mexico BP spill
The offshore drilling firm responsible for running the Deepwater Horizon rig has given its top executives bonuses for its “best year” for safety.
BP is finished with coastal Alabama cleanup
BP PLC said Friday it has removed workers and machinery from its deep-cleaning operation on the state’s tourist beaches.
Sea turtle deaths up along Gulf Shores, joining dolphin trend
The discovery of more than 100 dead dolphins on Gulf of Mexico shores likely reflects only a small fraction of the total killed by the BP oil spill last year, a study suggested on Wednesday. And Federal scientists are trying to figure out why dolphin deaths along the Gulf of Mexico are up this year now have a second challenge: a sharp jump in sea turtle deaths in some Gulf areas.
Gulf probe: Blowout Preventer Was Flawed
The findings cast serious doubt on the reliability of all the other blowout preventers used by the oil drilling industry.