Breaking news: BP gets partial control over Gulf oil spill with siphon now in place
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View all » BP announced just after the noon hour that they have a mile long tube in place drawing away oil from the huge crude oil spill that occurred after an explosion on the oil rig weeks ago. The tube was put into place by remote operated vehicles (ROVS) underwater and goes out to a tanker that captures the oil at the surface waters.
BP has used several methods since the spill that occurred on April 20, 2010, but has had little or no success with them. They have used burn off procedures, placed a huge containment over the well in hopes of stopping the leak, and also applying dispersants on the spill at the surface. The burn off method helps some, but doesn't take care of the whole problem or the continuing leaks. Dispersants are harmful to sea life and will cause numerous effects on the wildlife and food chain.
The latest measure of placing the 21-inch piping has resulted in success. BP reports that the tube is sucking out most of the oil from the leakage.
Oil plumes discovered underwater by researchers have been discovered that are miles long, the largest measured so far was ten miles long. This will create a toxic effect on sea life at all levels in the Gulf of Mexico.