Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
BP launches 'top kill' to stop US oil leak
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Africa
Europe
Latin America
Middle East
North America
BP launches 'top kill' to stop US oil leak
AFP - Thursday, May 27
Send
IM Story
Print
NEW ORLEANS, Louisiana (AFP) - – BP launched a complex, risky deep-sea operation to cap the Gulf of Mexico oil leak, under huge pressure to get it right this time and staunch the five-week-old spill.
Shortly after winning final approval from US officials, the British energy giant announced the maneuver dubbed a "top kill" had begun at 1800 GMT.
But after several previous failed attempts to cap the oil, BP boss Tony Hayward has already downplayed hopes of success, cautioning the procedure has never been tried before at such depth and against such pressure.
He warned it was expected to take two days to complete the difficult operation to inject heavy drilling fluids into the oil flow and then seal it with cement.
"The job has been proceeding according to plan," BP Chief Operating Officer Doug Suttles said later.
The work being carried out by remote-controlled robotic submarines a mile (1,600 meters) below the surface aims to counterbalance the oil flow with the injected fluids, drowning the leak long enough to dump cement on top and permanently seal it.
White House deputy spokesman Bill Burton told reporters on Air Force One that President Barack Obama was being updated on the progress of the "top kill" operation.
"I would say that his level of frustration is very high and that every moment that that hole is not plugged the president has a deep level of concern."
The Deepwater Horizon rig, 50 miles (80 kilometers) off the Louisiana coast, exploded on April 20, killing 11 workers.
Its fractured pipe has been spouting oil for 36 straight days, creating a massive slick washing up along the Louisiana coastline and threatening endangered birds, animals and plants. Related article:Cousteau dives into 'nightmare' US oil slick
Oil from the giant slick has now soiled more than 100 miles of Louisiana coastline, state Governor Bobby Jindal said Wednesday, more than doubling the previous estimate.
"It's clear that this will be a transforming event in the history of deepwater exploration," Hayward admitted, with BP only having managed so far to siphon up some oil daily via a tube inserted into the pipe last week.
Obama, who offered "every resource necessary to put a stop to this thing," is expected to announce tough new offshore oil regulations Thursday after receiving an Interior Department report into what has become one of the worst oil spills in US history.
In a hint of what might be in the report, Interior Secretary Ken Salazar told lawmakers Wednesday: "There are significant enhancements that can be made with respect to the safety of outer continental shelf oil and gas development, and I think that is the way for us to go."
Millions of gallons of oil has seeped into the waters, contaminating Louisiana's fragile marshes and wetlands, though the exact amount of crude unleashed by the spill is unknown.
A tour of coastal areas left Plaquemines parish president Billy Nungesser aghast at the devastation -- and what he described as an incompetent response to the disaster.
"The same oil that's been out there two weeks ago is still out there. And nothing is being done," Nungesser told CNN.
"The marsh is dying. It's dead. And there wasn't a boat, there wasn't nothing. And it's embarrassing," he said, adding that he felt top officials overseeing the spill response should be sacked and replaced.
After minimum success with efforts to plug the leak by putting a containment dome over the pipe, Hayward has only put the chances of the "top kill" success at 60 to 70 percent.
But energy industry expert Eric Smith, from Tulane University in New Orleans, told CNN he was more optimistic the operation would work, saying he was less concerned about the depths involved.
The new bid to cap the leak comes as BP admitted there had been at least seven failures and warning signs in the hours before the explosion that something was wrong.
"What we're seeing here is a whole series of failures. We've identified... at least seven," said Hayward.
A memo released by senior US lawmakers late Tuesday detailed three warning signs in the last hour before the explosion, including sudden, unexpected pressure rises and fluid leaks.
Congressman Ed Markey said the government should clean house at the Minerals Management Service, the bureau which oversees offshore drilling.
"It's got to be tipped upside down, cleaned out and a whole new structure put in place," he said.
Officials are also readying back-up options but some, including the drilling of relief wells to divert the flow and allow the original well to be capped, could take several months.
The response by BP, Obama and the government all got bad grades from Americans in a new USA TODAY/Gallup Poll. Related article:BP still important for US despite oil spill:chairman
Nearly three-fourths of those surveyed Monday and Tuesday said BP was doing a "poor" or "very poor" job. Sixty percent said the same about the federal government, while 53 percent slapped Obama with a poor rating on the crisis.
Thanks to a webcam which BP has placed close to the leak, the whole procedure is being aired live on US television, with news channels streaming footage of the oil gushing from the broken well pipe.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
NATO chief warns members against defence cuts AFP - 17 minutes ago
Russia on alert after bomb blast kills seven AFP - 32 minutes ago
New security strategy to lay out Obama doctrine AFP - 51 minutes ago
Israel PM leaves for Paris ahead of US talks AFP - 1 hour 30 minutes ago
Trinidad and Tobago swears in first woman PM AFP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
US recovery on track despite European debt concerns
Anti-HIV drugs slash risk of virus transmission by 92 percent
Shuttle Atlantis back on Earth after final space voyage
Europe moves to levy bank failure tax
Stocks recover as OECD raises growth forecasts
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
Little African grebe becomes extinct
Bodies pile up in Jamaica's assault for drug kingpin
Anti-HIV drugs slash risk of virus transmission by 92 percent
Bono out of hospital after temporary 'paralysis'
More Most Viewed »
Scientists stunned as grey whale sighted off Israel
Hubble catches planet being devoured by its star
UN fears 'irreversible' damage to natural environment
Earth may be too hot for humans by 2300: study
Ocean fish could disappear in 40 years: UN
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Thursday, 27 May 2010 Iran and Russia clash in worst row for years
Video exposes truant Russian MPs
Iran's Ahmadinejad lambasts Russia over nuclear stance
Europe moves to levy bank failure tax
Facebook overhauls privacy controls
Zynga games coming to
UK sets limit of 225 nuclear warheads
|
Colombians to vote for Uribe's successor in close race
|
Shuttle Atlantis back on Earth after final space voyage
Mayor of Mexico resort arrested for drug gang ties
|
Another Foxconn worker falls to death in China: report
Ethiopia's Meles rejects poll criticism
|
Secretary Charged For Trying To Sell Disney Info
"Glee" Earns Second #1 Album On Billboard With "Showstoppers"
Zimbabwe licenses new private newspapers
|
Teachers, Administrators Resign After Helping Children Cheat
BP starts 'top kill' operation
Second Teacher In Trouble For Condoning Klan Wear
China could join moves to sanction North Korea
Strip Club Offers Grads Alternative To Economy
US Patriot missile unit deploys in Poland, Russia bristles
EU seeking deal on election mission to Myanmar
Shuttle Atlantis returns to Earth after final voyage
Australia first World Cup qualifiers to arrive
"Brandy And Ray J's Family Business" Picked Up For Second Season
Foxconn shows off China plant after suicides
Female Rheumatoid Arthritis Cases On Rise, Environmental Factors Likely Culprit
Youngest Everest climber makes it safely off peak
American Eagle Q1 Profit Dips On Charges, Outlook Falls Short
EPA Yanks Permitting Authority From Texas Environment Board
Lady Gaga Selling New Single "Alejandro" With Prayer Candle
US examining Apple over online music: NYT
US-TECH Summary
FCC survey finds fees surprise many mobile users
Facebook boosts privacy controls amid criticism
|
Boy killed at Vietnam refinery protest
US lawmakers target pre-paid cellphone anonymity
Apple knocks off Microsoft as biggest tech
|
Pakistan lifts ban on YouTube
Car bomb hits outside NATO base in Kandahar city
Japan may wait before saying 'iDo' to iPad
Penguin, Amazon resolve e-book pricing for Kindle
|
China tries to balance fallout of Korean tensions
Yahoo will modernize its sites until mid-2011: CEO
|
FCC survey finds fees surprise many mobile users
|
Clinton: World must act on SKorean ship sinking
Foxconn shows off China plant after suicides
India's Tata Steel posts consolidated net loss
India's Mahindra buys Reva majority stake
Revamped Rome Colosseum still needs sponsors
Air India strike ends, over 100 flights grounded
N.Korea musters foreign fan club for World Cup
India's Mahindra buys Reva stake as GM exits
East Timor says energy consortium trying to steal
Ramallah boom belies fragility of Palestinian economy
Paris pushes new bicycle plan
Save Your Logo: Lacoste joins bid to help endangered crocodile
Sex and the City's Nixon lives her own New York
|
"Sex and the City's" Nixon lives her own New York
British 1970s pop group the Faces to re-form
Bob Dylan mania in India's northeast
Veteran TV host Art Linkletter dead at 97
|
Munich beer festival ups prices for 200th edition
Former Us Weekly chief joins Hollywood Reporter
|
Duchess of York jokes about newspaper sting
|
Israel PM leaves for Paris ahead of US talks
Turkish PM stresses Brazil ties on unprecedented visit
Pakistan partially lifts block on YouTube: official
US recovery on track despite European debt concerns
South Korean navy holds border anti-sub drills
|
Obama invites Netanyahu and Abbas to White House
Anti-HIV drugs slash risk of virus transmission by 92 percent
Foxconn hit by 10th jumping death
Iran's Ahmadinejad lambasts Russia over nuclear stance
Privacy fears mount as ad targeting grows
Geithner takes plea for European action to Germany
|
Special report: Between Iraq and a rich place
|
Army Vet, 80, Shoots And Kills Armed Burglar
Bay Citizen news website launches in San Francisco
Foxconn hit by 10th jumping death
|
Coast Guard OK's Top Kill Plan, BP Begins Procedure In Hopes It Plugs Well
Lawmakers want more Google Street View info
NATO says security key to economic growth: report
|
Late Sell-Off Sends U.S. Markets Lower
Death toll from south Russia bomb rises to seven
|
Pakistan partially lifts block on YouTube: official
|
Colombians to vote for Uribe's successor in close race
|
Wired magazine unveils iPad application
U.S. probes Apple digital music dominance
Facebook boosts privacy controls amid criticism
Palestinian leader says he's committed to peace
BP launches 'top kill' to stop US oil leak
New security strategy to lay out Obama doctrine
NKorea to scrap pact preventing clash with SKorea
Anti-whaling activist pleads guilty in Tokyo trial
Asian conflicts exact heavy civilian toll in 2009: Amnesty
Pakistan lifts ban on YouTube, pages remain blocked
NKorea to scrap preventing naval clash with SKorea
Thailand to ask Interpol to 'seek Thaksin arrest'
Apple overtakes Microsoft as biggest tech company
|
Australian opposition gets tough on refugees
Former Us Weekly chief to shake-up Hollywood Reporter
Sri Lankan asylum seekers on hunger strike
Pakistan partially lifts block on YouTube: official
|
Sea Shepherd anti-whaling activist on trial in Japan
U.S. probes Apple digital music dominance
|
Lawmakers want more Google Street View info
|
Foxconn hit by 10th jumping death
|
Asia in search of its own J.K. Rowling
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Lee DeWyze wins "American Idol" as Cowell departs
Yahoo forecasts revenue growth up to 10 percent
|
Meet the men who could play Spider-Man
Honda to install brake override systems on all models
Dell's Streak readies for battle with iPad
|
Ben Kingsley denies he's a serious man
S.Korea c.bank won't cut euro assets -official
Jason Sudeikis taking a whack at "Horrible Bosses"
Seoul shares end up 1.6 pct led by techs
Simon Cowell feels the love on "American Idol" send-off
"Sex" sequel will leave 'Prince of Persia' in dust
China reviewing eurozone debt holdings: report
Stone Temple Pilots could fly highest on US chart
China's anti-bubble moves turn bull market bearish
Female hosts in uphill battle for Emmy awards
S.Korea studying ways to smooth capital flows
Japan's exports jump 40 percent in April
Taiwan stocks end up on bargain hunt; Hon Hai falls
Pakistani rupee traded at record low of 85.34
Chinese court hears novelist's Google lawsuit
Lee DeWyze wins American Idol as Cowell departs
|
Sex sequel will leave 'Prince of Persia' in dust
|
Meet the men who could play Spider-Man
|
Simon Cowell feels the love on American Idol send-off
|
Why the Emmys continue to ignore Idol
|
Ben Kingsley denies he's a serious man
|
Jason Sudeikis taking a whack at Horrible Bosses
|
Oprah Winfrey closes her charity as daytime show ends
|
Microsoft chief shrugs off Apple rise
Afghans: Pakistani Taliban commander rumored dead
Russia hunts for bombers after blast kills seven
Microsoft to speed up entertainment and devices plans
Markets rally following China reassurances
Yemen tribe demands airstrike explanation by Friday
|
Spanish parliament approves austerity plan by one vote
Anti-ACORN Videographer Pleads Guilty In Senate Phone Tapping Case
Ships sail for Dunkirk 70 years after evacuation
Tina Fey To Receive Mark Twain Comedy Prize
Obama to extend ban on offshore oil drilling
South Africa's Zuma condemns arrest of gays in Malawi
|
Forecasters Predict Above Average Hurricane Season
Sandra Bullock To Accept Generation Award At MTV Movie Awards
Spain austerity plan scrapes through parliament
|
Crew, Vessels In Gulf Coast Clean-up Recalled After Health Problems
U.N.'s Ban urges Iran talks with security council
|
Bush Daughter Laments Global Health Care Disparity
US security plan switches focus to homegrown terror
South Africa transport strike to end after new deal
|
Mary Portas, Gary Lineker To Appear On BBC America's "Friday Night With Jonathan Ross"
Pride at stake for Bangladesh in Lord's opener
Shark Cartilage Drug Did Not Increase Cancer Survival In Trial
Top Bosnian's Serbia visit delayed over war criminal
|
Bret Michaels, Howie Mandel To Guest Star On "Glenn Martin, DDS" Season Premiere
Activists say bound for Gaza despite Israeli warning
|
House Committee Schedules Hearing On Tylenol Recalls
Dell, HP look into suicides at Foxconn China plant
Japan sumo bosses penalised over gangster links
N.Korea threatens to attack S.Korea ships
Suu Kyi party marks 20 years since Myanmar poll win
Beijing looks to revitalise bicycle culture
US scientists share in 'Asian Nobel Prize'
Sony to launch e-reader in Japan, take on Apple
|
Nepal leader urges parties to avert political chaos
Rats damage huge swathes of China's grasslands
Microsoft CEO unconcerned with Apple market cap
|
India's Tata Motors swings into profit for year
Taliban kill tribal elder, wife and son in Pakistan
Prince of Persia leaps onto movie screens
|
Sony to challenge Apple in Japan with e-reader
Daimler, China's BYD in electric car joint venture
Arroyo bouyant after Philippine economy grows 7.3%
Asian stocks extend gains on bargain hunting
Sanofi seeking entry to Japan's generic drug market
Japan's exports surge but Europe casts shadow
Carlyle seeking new Taiwan TV deal deadline-source
Strike stalls Honda's China plants
Iran film ban latest chapter in Cannes-Tehran row
Tehran to ban Iranian director's film starring Binoche
Jean-Paul Gaultier to quit Hermes
Tourism industry optimistic despite subdued recovery
Morocco gives Elton John a rapturous welcome
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights