1,000 Barrels of Oil Leaking Daily Following Transocean Rig Accident

Reports have indicted that approximately 1,000 barrels of oil are leaking in the Gulf of Mexico daily, following the deadly Transocean rig accident.  The explosion occurred on Tuesday night and it is believed to have claimed the lives of 11 people.

According to BP spokesman David Nicholas, oil is escaping from two places at the site.  He also said that BP is responsible for the cleanup.  The expense associated with the cleanup efforts will most likely be split between BP and its partners, Anadarko Petroleum Corp. and Mitsui & Co.

The oil spill incorporates an area that is 400 square miles in the Gulf of Mexico, about 40 miles off the coast.  Thunderstorms and rough seas in the area have impacted the cleanup attempts.

“This is a very serious oil spill,” said Coast Guard Rear Admiral Mary Landry, who is supervising the rescue and cleanup efforts.  She said that it is unclear as to when the well will be capped.

The Deepwater Horizon rig was discovered on the sea floor about 1,500 feet northwest of the well site.  Measures were taken to stop the Transocean rig from sinking following the blast, but it sank anyway.

Eleven of the workers who were on the Deepwater Horizon are still missing and it is assumed that they did not survive.  If that turns out to be true, it would this incident the deadliest U.S. offshore rig explosion in over four decades.

Our thoughts and prayers continue to go out to the workers and families impacted by this catastrophic event.