Containment Dome planned to stop Gulf oil leak

It is a one of a kind attempt to stop a one of a kind catastrophe.  BP is planning to lower a huge containment dome onto the main oil leak in the Gulf of Mexico.  The dome is over four stories tall and will gather the leaking oil so it can be pumped to a tanker on the surface.  If the containment dome works 80-85% of the spill will be brought under control.

The problem is that nobody knows if this will work at all.  Engineers hope it will be the best short-term solution to controlling the leak that has only worsened since it began two weeks ago.  It has never been tried at such a depth.   The leak is nearly a mile underwater.  The dome will be lowered from a barge using GPS to pinpoint accuracy. 

There were three leaks on the bottom.  One of the leaks was able to be plugged a couple of days ago, but there are still two active leaks.  The dome will target the largest leak.  If this fails there is no real plan B other than to drill wells to relieve the pressure.  That could take several months to complete.   If that becomes the case it is likely the oil slick would reach the Florida keys and potentially head up the east coast via the currents.

 

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